723. Emily Mackay, 2024 World Indoor Championships 1500m Bronze Medalist

"I feel the most confident I’ve ever been." Emily Mackay is having a heck of a year on the run! The Team New Balance Boston athlete earned a bronze medal at World Indoor Championships in the 1500m earlier this year, and has kicked off her outdoor season with strong performances including a personal best at the Prefontaine Classic, where she ran 3:59.76. In this conversation, Emily reflects back on her early running days, and shares why she dreamed of going pro with the NB Boston team (including teammates Elle Purrier St. Pierre and Heather MacLean) and coach Mark Coogan. She talks about the confidence it took to make that major move with 400m to go at World Indoor Championships, and about why that race was both a confidence-booster and a big learning experience. And, with the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials looming, Emily — who is absolutely one to watch in the 1500 — talks about the pressure to perform in an Olympic year. FOLLOW EMILY @emily_mac7 SPONSORS:  Vuori: Click here for 20% off your first Vuori purchase. UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN energy bar sample pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. What you’ll get on this episode: What Emily’s watching right now (3:00) What a day in the life of a professional middle-distance runner is like (6:10) All about Emily’s 1500m personal best at the Prefontaine Classic (10:30) The confidence it took to make a major move at World Indoor Championships with 400m to go (15:00) Was that a breakthrough race for Emily? (18:40) The pressure to perform in an Olympic year (27:30) What it’s like when your teammates are your competitors on race day, and how Emily ended up on Team NB Boston (31:10) How — and why — Emily became a runner (39:35) What training looks like right now, with the Trials on the horizon (42:05) What will it take to make the U.S. women’s 1500m Olympic team? (46:25) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter 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!