Episode 394: Benita Willis – World Cross Country Champion & Four Time Olympian

Benita Willis is the coach of Lindsay Flanagan who just ran a huge PR at the Gold Coast Marathon in 2:24:43. When I talked to Benita, Lindsay had just run the Paris Marathon where she also had a great race! Benita is an Australian distance running legend herself. She is a 4 time Olympian at the 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012 Olympics. She is a 3 time national champion in the 5000m. She was also the 2004 World Cross Country Champion. She has a marathon PR of 2:22:36 which is the Australian record. She also holds so many other Australian records on the roads and on the track. Benita is pregnant with her first child and is the coach for Lace Up Running. She coaches professional runners and every day runners. What we talked about: 4:30- Introduction to Benita Willis 6:20- Benita’s pregnancy 8:35- How she met her husband 11:15- The miscarriages that Benita had 15:25- Retiring from her pro running career and seeing women in their 40s competing at a high level 23:00- All of the Australian records that she holds 25:40- Living in America 27:25- 2008 Olympics and what Benita dealt with in her personal life that year 33:30- Benita’s World Cross Country Championship win in 2004 42:50- Running the Australian Record in the marathon 44:15- Thoughts on the change in technology and the fast times being run 45:55- How growing up as a competitive hockey player helped her in her running career 50:40- Specialization in sports 52:15- Benita’s coaching business 56:10- End of podcast questions Show notes: Into Thin Air Benita on Instagram Lace Up Running Website Lace Up Running on Instagram Connect with Lindsey: Lindsey on Instagram Lindsey on Twitter Lindsey on Facebook Join the I’ll Have Another Facebook Group Support the I’ll Have Another Podcast on Patreon Follow SandyBoy Productions: Sandyboy Productions on Twitter Sandyboy Productions on Instagram SandyBoy Productions Shows: Why is Everyone Yelling? The Up and Running Podcast The Illuminate Podcast The Herban Farmacy Podcast The Ready to Run Podcast Sponsors: Previnex Use the code “another” for 15% off Coros Use code “another” for a free band at checkout! Relay Run Co. Use the code “another” for 15% off your order