225. Malindi Elmore & Leanne Klassen | Project 2:40: How a Sub-Elite Marathoner Ran Faster by Training Smarter

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text Leanne Klassen is back on the show, along with her coach, the legendary Malindi Elmore, to break down Leanne’s outstanding marathon performance last month in Houston. Malindi is a three-time Olympian and a true icon of Canadian distance running. A Stanford graduate, she first competed in the 1500 meters at the 2004 Athens Olympics, and then made a remarkable transition to the marathon—placing 9th at the 2021 Tokyo Games and representing Canada again in Paris last summer, a full 20 years after her Olympic debut! At nearly 45 years of age and living in Kelowna, BC, with her husband, Graham, and their two young boys, Malindi continues to train and compete at the highest level while coaching athletes and winning national titles. Leanne was first on the show in the fall of 2023, where we talked about navigating injuries with grace. As a sub-elite distance runner, she’s faced her fair share of setbacks, which led her and Malindi to take a fresh approach to her Houston Marathon buildup. Instead of prioritizing high mileage and grueling long runs, they focused on a less-is-more strategy—emphasizing smart training, recovery, and strength work. The results were nothing short of incredible. Leanne not only felt stronger than ever in training, but she also took a massive two minutes off her personal best, running 2:40:52 in tough weather conditions. As endurance athletes, we often fall into the trap of thinking more is always better—but what if real breakthroughs happen by training smarter , not harder? Whether you’re a recreational runner or competing at an elite level, this is the kind of story that deserves more attention. Connect with Leanne: Inspired Soles Interview: Navigating Injuries With Grace Website: leanneklassen.ca Instagram: @leanneklassen7 Connect with Malindi: Website: malindielmore.com Instagram: @malindielmore Connect with Carolyn: Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts . Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.