"Whenever we do something that we really invest in and that’s hard — and that we’re not sure we can do — it’s a reminder of the ‘we can do hard things’ aspect. And I’ll always get to say that I did this." Emily Oster is an economist, a professor at Brown University, and a best-selling author of books including Expecting Better, Cribsheet, and The Family Firm. And she just made her marathon debut at the California International Marathon (CIM), where she finished in 3 hours 17 minutes and 39 seconds. In this conversation, Emily talks about her decision to run 26.2 miles (which she twice swore she would never do, during her first and second appearances on the Ali on the Run Show), about working with coach Kaitlin Goodman and sports dietitian Meghann Featherstun, and about her race-day experience. FOLLOW EMILY: @ProfEmilyOster SPONSORS: UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN energy bar sample pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALIUCAN for 20% off your next UCAN order. Tracksmith: New customers, use code ALINEW for $15 off your first Tracksmith order over $75. Returning customers, use code ALIGIVE for free shipping, plus a portion of the proceeds from your order will be donated to Moms Demand Action. The Eugene Marathon: Register for the Eugene Marathon (April 28, 2024) and save $10 with code ONTHERUN. What you’ll get on this episode: Emily’s evolution as a runner, and why she made the decision to run a marathon this year (2:00) Why Emily decided to start working with coach Kaitlin Goodman, and why they chose the California International Marathon (4:40) On choosing a “fast” race course (18:00) What Emily learned from working with sports dietitian Meghann Featherstun (21:10) What Emily’s CIM training was like (25:40) On pre-race nervous, training stressors, and race goals (37:30) The road to the start line (45:00) Emily’s highs and lows from CIM 2023 (48:45) What it was like becoming a marathoner for the first time (1:01:05) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!