386. Elise Cranny, Professional Runner for the Bowerman Track Club

"I feel so lucky that running has made me feel empowered and given me a lot of confidence. Finding that throughout high school was something that was really life-changing for me. I really want the younger generation to have that opportunity and to see the power of sport and the power they can find in themselves and in their team, and in connecting with others who have similar goals and passions. I really want to inspire that younger generation and see all the great things that they can do."

Welcome to U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials Week! The Trials officially kick off tomorrow, June 18, at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, OR, and today's guest, Elise Cranny, is definitely one to watch. Elise runs professionally for Nike and the Bowerman Track Club, and she will be competing in both the 5K (June 18) and 10K (June 26). Elise comes into the Trials with the fastest qualifying time in the 10K, and the third-fastest time in the 5K (behind her BTC teammates Shelby Houlihan and Karissa Schweizer), and she is fit, both physically and mentally. Just a few weeks ago, Elise won the 1500m event at the Portland Track Festival, running a 4:02 and earning both a personal best and an Olympic qualifying time (though she won't be going for the 1500m at the Trials). Before going pro, Elise was a standout runner at Stanford University. She was a 12-time All-American, and finished second at NCAA Championships four times. On this episode, Elise talks about her path to the Trials, her dreams for making her first Olympic team, her history with RED-S, and her experience as a Voice in Sport mentor. Keep your eyes on Elise this week!

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What you'll get on this episode:

• Elise talks about her 1500m win at the Portland Track Festival (3:50)
• Elise confirms which events she'll be competing in at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials (7:20)
• On training at altitude in Park City, UT (11:50)
• Comparing the 1500, 5K, and 10K (14:30)
• What it's like working with Coach Shalane Flanagan (17:50)
• The workouts Elise loves — and the ones she loves a little bit less (22:00)
• On getting dropped at practice (25:40)
• How Elise has built her mental toughness and confidence (29:00)
• What Elise says her strengths and weaknesses are on the run (31:00)
• What Bowerman Track Club practice is like (35:00)
• Elise shares her running story (37:00)
• Elise's experience with RED-S in college (42:10)
• On the decision to go pro (46:30)
• Elise looks back on her first practice with Bowerman Track Club (50:00)
• Elise shares her pre-race rituals (1:01:20)
• Elise's biggest hopes, dreams, and goals both on and off the track (1:06:00)

What we mention on this episode:

Sinclaire Johnson on Episode 373 of the Ali on the Run Show

Gabriela DeBues-Stafford on Episode 353 of the Ali on the Run Show

Shelby Houlihan & Karissa Schweizer on Episode 357 of the Ali on the Run Show

Shalane Flanagan on Episode 242 of the Ali on the Run Show

Voice in Sport

Sterling K. Brown's 2018 Stanford University commencement address

Follow Elise:

• Instagram @elise.cranny

Follow Ali:

• Instagram @aliontherun1
• Join the Facebook group
• Twitter @aliontherun1
• Support on Patreon
• Blog
• Strava

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