Ep 226 - Clayton Young Is Chasing the American Record + 3 Things I've Changed in My Training + The Mindset That Changes Everything

<p><strong>Clayton Young is chasing the American Record—and in this episode, we’re talking about what it really takes to perform at the highest level.</strong></p><p>In Episode 226 of the Elevate Your Running Podcast, we’re covering elite marathon training, my latest Chicago Marathon training updates, and one of the most important performance tools a runner has: <strong>your mindset.</strong></p><p>Clayton Young is coming off an incredible stretch of marathon racing and has his sights set on the American Record. We’ll talk about what makes Clayton such a consistent and competitive marathoner, what elite runners can teach all of us about the process, and what it looks like to chase a big goal when the margin for error is incredibly small.</p><p>I’ll also share a <strong>Chicago Marathon training update</strong>, including what my training is looking like, how I’m approaching the final stages of marathon preparation, and the lessons I’m learning along the way.</p><p>And finally, we’re diving into something every runner can use: <strong>how to make your mind your greatest asset.</strong> Your mindset can either become a limiting factor or one of your biggest performance advantages. We’ll talk about confidence, staying present, handling hard workouts, managing doubt, and learning to trust the work you’ve put in.</p><p>Whether you’re training for a marathon, chasing a PR, working toward a Boston Qualifying time, or simply trying to become a stronger and more confident runner, this episode will give you plenty to think about—and hopefully put into practice.</p><p><strong>In this episode:</strong><br>• Clayton Young’s pursuit of the American Record<br>• What we can learn from elite marathon training<br>• My latest Chicago Marathon training updates<br>• How to build confidence as a runner<br>• Turning your mindset into a performance advantage<br>• Staying focused when training gets hard<br>• Learning to trust your training and yourself<br>• The mental side of chasing a big marathon goal</p><p>If you’re ready to <strong>run stronger, think stronger, and elevate your running</strong>, this episode is for you.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Resources &amp; Links:</strong></p><ul><li><p>Work with Coach Sara + the Elevate Your Running Coaching Team  – Coaching and Programs</p></li><ul><li><p><a href="http://elevateyourrunning.com"><u>elevateyourrunning.com</u></a></p></li></ul><li><p>Instagram – Join the Community</p></li><ul><li><p><a href="https://instagram.com/elevateyourrunning"><u>Elevateyourrunning</u></a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sayrahrunshappy/"><u>sayrahrunshappy</u></a></p></li></ul><li><p><a href="mailto:sara@elevateyourrunning.com"><u>Email Coach Sara </u></a>for podcast feedback, training questions, and if you’re curious about working together! </p></li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elevate-your-running/id1608062054"><u>Apple Podcasts</u></a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/7cXAnf89QgEbpRebvLDa7b?si=9db431e29da943c1"><u>Spotify</u></a> | <a href="https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTPrIuBWoBFLLgOSsaAPc19E_h9WZoWH6&si=cCST99-OJdl_7p2r"><u>YouTube Music</u></a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@elevateyourrunning1"><u>YouTube Channel </u></a></p><p>If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how coaching has impacted your journey on social media using #elevateyourrunning. </p><p>Do you want to be an inclusive insider? Help support the Elevate Your Running Podcast! Get exclusive content, Sara’s training updates, Q + A coaching advice, and <a href="https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/1210115349/subscribe"><u>more through this platform!</u></a> </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>PARTNER DISCOUNTS AND LINKS:</p><p><a href="https://www.boulderthon.org/"><u>Boulderthon 2026:</u></a> save $20 off the marathon or half marathon with code <strong>SARA20</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.dynamicrunner.club/a/2147526132