In this episode of Fast and Free, Brant turns the mic toward Elaina to explore a running journey shaped by grit, setbacks, and the kind of durability you can’t fake. They talk about the early days of running without structure, the string of breakthrough marathons that proved she had real potential, and the tough moments that nearly derailed everything — from a DNF at Grandma’s to discovering a 75% stress fracture that left her in a full leg cast and rebuilding her trust in her body from the ground up.
What makes her story land isn’t just the 2:46 breakthrough in Chicago, but the way she stayed patient through the chaos: the bad races, the injury spiral, the long cross-training grind, and the slow return to running that eventually set up her best season yet. Now she’s pushing past old limits with a 50K and 50-miler, using curiosity, consistency, and a little bit of audacity to rewrite what she thought she was capable of. If you’re in a rough patch or rebuilding from something hard, this one is going to hit home.
Relevant LinksGet coached by Brant – https://teamrunrun.com/coach/brant-stachel-kingston-ontario-running-coach/
Get coached by Elaina – https://teamrunrun.com/coach/elaina-raponi-kingston-ontario-running-coach/
Learn more about Team RunRun – https://teamrunrun.com
Get the best fuel for your runs – https://fuelgoods.com/?ref=Brant
About the Fast and Free PodcastThe Fast and Free Podcast with Brant Stachel explores the intersection of endurance training and mental performance. Each week, Brant—an endurance coach, Registered Psychotherapist, and mental performance specialist—dives into conversations with Olympians, elites, and everyday athletes chasing their goals. From running strategies to psychology tools, every episode delivers practical insights to help you train smarter, think stronger, and perform at your best.
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