Joe Klecker’s Race Plan Ahead Of His Marathon Debut In NYC + Lessons From His Transition To The Roads

“My big mantra for the whole weekend is to just execute. Just do what we’ve done in practice and this is going to work. I haven’t thought about kicking into the park or anything like that because that’s going to take care of itself if I execute mile 22. And if I execute mile 21, that’s going to make mile 22 better. Just working from the start, if I execute each bottle station and each section of the course, I think it’s going to be very positive." My guest for today’s episode is Joe Klecker — a 2020 Olympian and a U.S. 10,000-meter champion on the track. But this year marks something new. After an adductor injury forced him out of the Olympic Trials and cost him a shot at Paris, Klecker is stepping into the next phase of his career — the roads. We chronicled much of this transition last winter when we produced a mini-documentary series on Klecker facing off against Conner Mantz and Clayton Young in January. In January, he ran his first half-marathon in Houston and ran 1:01:06. By spring, he was grinding through the U.S. road circuit with races in Atlanta, D.C., Boulder and learning what it takes to trade spikes for super shoes. And now, he’s taking on the biggest debut of all: the New York City Marathon. In this episode, we talk about that transition, the process of learning the roads in a very public way and how he’s dialed in a plan for a successful day in New York. Without further ado, here is Joe Klecker. ____________ Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠ ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠ Guest: Joe Klecker | @joe_klecker on Instagram Produced by: Jasmine Fehr | ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ____________ SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS NOMIO: Made with 80% broccoli sprout juice, 15% lemon juice, and 5% sugar, Nomio activates your body’s natural defense systems to reduce lactate, speed recovery, and enhance muscle adaptation. Take one 60 ml shot three hours before training or racing and feel lighter, stronger, and more resilient. Available at The Feed — use code CITIUS15 for 15% off | ⁠⁠⁠https://thefeed.com/collections/nomio⁠⁠ WAHOO: The KICKR RUN isn’t just another treadmill; it’s a complete rethink of indoor running. With Dynamic Pacing, it automatically adjusts to your stride—no buttons, no breaking form, just pure running freedom. Its Terrain Simulation makes the deck feel like a track or trail, while lateral tilt mimics real-world conditions so you’re always prepared for race day. So whether you’re chasing your first half-marathon finish, a marathon PR, or your next trail adventure, the KICKR RUN is built to help you Run Your Run. Check it all out at WahooFitness.com and use code CITIUS at checkout. OLIPOP: Olipop’s Crisp Apple: it's like sparkling apple juice meets those gummy apple rings from your childhood. It’s sweet, fizzy, and comforting. Crisp Apple started as a holiday special, but people went absolutely wild for it. You begged, Olipop listened, and now it's officially part of the family. Like every Olipop, it's made with real ingredients that do good. 50 calories, 5g of sugar, and full of prebiotics and plant fiber that help your gut feel right. You can find Olipop at Target, Whole Foods, Walmart, or just head to DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 for 25% off your orders.