When Olympian Rory Linkletter crossed the finish line at the Chicago Marathon with a new personal best of 2:06:49, he wasn’t just celebrating a record-breaking run, he was celebrating a decade of uninterrupted consistency.
“I’m not the most talented runner,” he tells host Anya. “But I’ve been healthy, consistent, and able to stack year after year. That’s the secret of the sport.”
For Rory, success isn’t about a single race. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and building momentum through thousands of quiet, steady miles.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Whether you’re training for your first marathon or chasing a new personal best, Rory’s story is a masterclass in consistency, recovery, and mindset — lessons that apply to every runner, at every level.
What it really takes to reach and sustain elite marathon performance
How consistency and recovery drive long-term success
The role of discipline, environment, and attitude in improvement
Why elite runners train by feel, and how to find that rhythm yourself
Exclusive insights from Rory’s Chicago Marathon and training under Ryan Hall
🎧 Listen or watch the full episode for Rory’s reflections on racing, recovery, and finding joy in the process.
From Hockey Dreams to Marathon Discipline
Rory’s journey to the Olympic stage didn’t start on the track — it began on the ice.
Growing up in Calgary, he dreamed of playing hockey like so many Canadians, but soon realized his strengths lay elsewhere. “Running was the first thing I ever did that strictly rewarded effort,” he says. “It was simple — the more I put in, the more I got out.”
That work ethic carried him to Brigham Young University, where he trained under two-time Olympian Ed Eyestone. BYU’s structure and discipline gave him exactly what he needed: focus and accountability.
“It gave me structure at the perfect time,” he says. “I wasn’t there for religion — I was there to become the best runner I could be.”
At Runna, that same balance of structure and flexibility is at the heart of every personalized marathon training plan — helping runners of all levels stay consistent, build confidence, and see progress over time.
The Secret to Success? Consistency Above All
Now based in Flagstaff, Arizona, Rory trains under Ryan Hall, logging up to 150 miles per week and long runs over 38 km. Yet in his view, it’s not about pushing limits, it’s about building a foundation that lasts.
“This was my ninth straight year running over 4,000 miles,” he explains. “That matters more than any single week. People overcomplicate running — it’s simple. Do the work, recover, repeat.”
That mindset carried him to a 2:06:49 finish in Chicago — a new personal best and the second-fastest time ever run by a Canadian.
That philosophy mirrors Runna’s adaptive training plans, which are built to evolve with you: adjusting your sessions, mileage, and recovery based on your real progress.
It’s about the long-term development, not quick wins. So if, like Rory, you're looking to "do the work, recover, repeat", Runna will be with you every step of the way.
Racing on Instinct
While many elites obsess over margins and metrics, Rory prefers to think of running as an “art form". It's an art the skills for which are honed from listening to ones body and knowing how to respond when the going gets tough.
“The difference between good and great is knowing your body,” he says. “Data matters, but racing is about feel - when to push, when to hold back, when to trust your instincts.”
He learned that lesson the hard way in Chicago. After going through halfway at a blistering 2:04 pace, Rory found himself alone from mile 14, running through the pain cave for nearly 12 miles. “It was brutal,” he says. “But I learned more from that than from any perfect race.”
That balance between science and self-awareness is central to Runna’s coaching philosophy. Our plans combine smart metrics with effort-based running (RPE) to help runners learn what pace feels right a skill that leads to better performance and fewer injuries.
What’s Next for Rory?
After strong finishes in Boston (2:07:02) and Chicago (2:06:49), Rory has his sights set on the Canadian record, but he’s not rushing.
“I can see the path,” he says. “But I’m not forcing it. I just want to keep competing for fun and chasing what excites me.”
It’s a mindset every runner can learn from: focus on consistency, trust the process, and enjoy the journey, no matter where you’re starting from.
If you’re inspired to take on your own marathon journey, whether it’s crossing your first finish line or chasing a new PB, the right plan and pacing can make all the difference.
Watch the Full Conversation
Hear Rory’s full conversation with Anya Culling on The Runna Podcast including insights on marathon training, elite racing, and what it means to find joy in the miles that matter most.
Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.