151. Jen Bigham AKA Local Elite

151. Jen Bigham AKA Local Elite

"Be happy with your life! Run races that are exciting to you. Set goals that are exciting to you. Maybe it's a goal that everyone in the world has. Maybe it's something that no one has. It doesn't matter. Just be true to yourself. If you're setting these goals that aren't for you, it's not going to fulfill you in the end."

You may know Jen Bigham as the 2019 winner of the Eugene Marathon. You may also know her the way much of the internet does: as "Local Elite." (Her Instagram and Twitter handle is, appropriately, @localelite.) On this episode, Jen talks about what it means to be a local elite runner, and it's pretty impressive. Not only did Jen win Eugene this year, she ran a 10-minute marathon PR in the process, finishing in 2:41 and nabbing a well-deserved Olympic Trials qualifying time. The road to an OTQ wasn't an easy one for Jen, who has been trying to land one since 2010. On this episode, Jen, who runs for Oiselle and is a high school track and cross-country coach, talks about the highs and lows along that road, and the illnesses, injuries, and series setbacks she faced. She talks about going from a 3:14 marathon before having kids to becoming a 2:41 marathon as a mom of three, and opens up social media and that dreaded comparison trap.

Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your wireless headphone endurance bundle!

What you'll get on this episode:

  • What does "localelite" mean to Jen? (3:00)
  • What it felt like to win the Eugene Marathon, run a 10-minute marathon PR, and get that sought-after Olympic Trials qualifying time (4:30)
  • On getting faster after having kids (9:30)
  • The heartbreaks along the way to an OTQ (16:00)
  • Coming back from injury and illness (26:00)
  • The role social media plays when chasing down big goals (31:00)
  • On re-signing with Oiselle's Haute Volee team (39:20)
  • On parenting and how Jen sets an example for her children (43:10)
  • Jen's message to everyone chasing big goals (50:40)

What we mention on this episode:

Eugene Marathon

Grandma's Marathon

California International Marathon (CIM)

Oiselle

Follow Jen:

Follow Ali:

Listen & Subscribe:

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

Episoder(864)

821. Grant Fisher, Two-Time Olympic Bronze Medalist

821. Grant Fisher, Two-Time Olympic Bronze Medalist

Last summer, Grant Fisher made history by becoming the first American man to win Olympic bronze in both the 5000m and 10000m at the Paris Olympic Games. Last month, he dropped down in distance and ran...

17 Jul 20251h 3min

820. Sofia Camacho, Nonbinary Runner, Drag Artist, & 2:29 Marathoner

820. Sofia Camacho, Nonbinary Runner, Drag Artist, & 2:29 Marathoner

"Ask questions. I always encourage people to ask me questions. If your question comes with good intentions, I'm not going to be mad at you for it! I'm not going to fault you for that. You just simply ...

10 Jul 20251h 23min

819. The Support Squad Episode 2, with Conor Nickel

819. The Support Squad Episode 2, with Conor Nickel

"Despite my insistence that 'I can do this,' and, 'I'm fine,' and, 'I've got this,' I don't got this without my people." I'm fresh off my second round of chemotherapy, and am back on the couch recordi...

4 Jul 20251h 53min

818. Jordan Hogan, Hogan Performance Coach, 2:20:57 Marathoner, & Mom-to-Be

818. Jordan Hogan, Hogan Performance Coach, 2:20:57 Marathoner, & Mom-to-Be

"In life and in marathons, whoever can overcome those challenges the best — it's not about not having challenges, because you are going to have them — it's about responding to them, being resilient, l...

2 Jul 20251h 20min

817. Caroline Moss Wants to Run a Marathon, Episode 2

817. Caroline Moss Wants to Run a Marathon, Episode 2

"None of this would have been possible if I didn't take that chance on myself." Caroline Moss has a dream: to run the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon. As a New Yorker, it's her favorite day of the yea...

26 Jun 20251h 47min

816. Deirdre Keane, Everest Extreme Ultra Marathoner

816. Deirdre Keane, Everest Extreme Ultra Marathoner

"It was dark, and I remember looking over the ledge thinking, 'What's down there?' I probably don't want to know…" Deirdre Keane has never encountered an adventure she didn't want to pursue. The pedia...

19 Jun 20251h 13min

815. The Support Squad Episode, with Cousin Jackie

815. The Support Squad Episode, with Cousin Jackie

"In my mind, I'm not going anywhere anytime soon." It's been a whirlwind week. THANK YOU for all of the love, support, and kindness after last week's "we're due for a catch-up" episode. It's been an o...

13 Jun 20251h 27min

814. Des Linden, Western States Endurance Run Pacer

814. Des Linden, Western States Endurance Run Pacer

"I'm laser focused. This is serious." She's the 2018 Boston Marathon champion. She's the co-host of Nobody Asked Us with Des and Kara. She's one of the most admired, most accomplished, and most respe...

11 Jun 20251h 6min

Populært innen Helse

hvordan-har-du-det-mann
fastlegen
rss-gukild-johaug
psykodrama
relasjonspodden-med-dora-thorhallsdottir-kjersti-idem
rss-garne-damer
leger-om-livet
bak-fasaden-en-reise-i-livet-med-sykepleier-ine
foreldreradet
morten-ramm-lar-kakla-ga-til-du-sovner
hjernesterk
rss-lopedrommen
klimaks
treningsprat
g-punktet
hormonelle-frida
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
helsetipspodden
biohacking-girls-din-podcast-for-optimal-helse
sovnlos