logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2024
1h 9m

691. Gabi Rooker, 2:24 Marathoner

ALI FELLER
About this episode

"You take what you have and make the most of it."

Gabi Rooker was an anti-running competitive gymnast growing up. After college, she began working full-time as an internal medicine physician's assistant. Now, she's headed to the U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon as the eighth-fastest woman in the field. In this conversation, Gabi talks about her unconventional road to becoming a 2:24 marathoner. Gabi ran her first marathon in 2021 — a 2:56 finish at Grandma's Marathon in her home state of Minnesota — and in just two years progressed to a 2:24 finish at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. Gabi is coached by her husband, Alex, and she just signed her first major sponsorship deal with Nike at age 36. The Trials are just 11 days away, and Gabi's name is one you should know.

FOLLOW GABI @gabirooker

SPONSOR: New Balance. Click here to shop New Balance's latest releases for the season. (The SuperComp Trainer is my favorite shoe!)

What you'll get on this episode:

  • On being "one to watch" at this year's Olympic Marathon Trials, and what live has been like lately for Gabi (2:45)
  • On the pressure and stakes of this year's Trials (6:00)
  • How Gabi's life changed after the 2023 Chicago Marathon, and her thoughts on experience vs. newness (7:20)
  • How Gabi feels about being the 8th-fastest woman lining up at the Trials (10:50)
  • Gabi shares her goals for the 2024 Marathon Trials (12:20)
  • Growing up Gabi: the life of a competitive gymnast (14:55)
  • Gabi's introduction to running (23:00)
  • How Gabi's husband, Alex, became her coach (29:30)
  • All about Gabi's work as a physician's assistant (32:15)
  • Why Gabi wanted to run a marathon (39:45)
  • On signing with Nike, and moving to part-time PA work leading up to the Trials (48:30)
  • The magic of the Mill City Running community (54:10)
  • How Gabi is feeling a few weeks out from the Trials (57:00)

Follow Ali:

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!

Up next
Nov 20
851. Jordan Litz's 2025 New York City Marathon Recap
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style= "mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> "Running the marathon and doing two Broadway shows in the same day — I've never felt more New York than that day."</span></strong></p> <p class ... Show More
1h 13m
Nov 18
850. Carl Radke's 2025 New York City Marathon Recap
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style= "mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> "Running single-handedly saved me during this last year."</span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Carl Radke is best known as a longtime cast ... Show More
1h 20m
Nov 13
849. Katie Couric, Journalist
"I just feel like when I see injustice, at this point in my life, I have to call it out." Katie Couric has been my idol since I was in high school, and it's truly an honor to welcome her to the Ali on the Run Show! We recorded this episode in person together on the Monday after t ... Show More
1h 26m
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2024
#254 - Méline ROLLIN, la Route vers le Marathon Olympique à Paris
Dans cet épisode du podcast "À Côté De Mes Pompes", je retrouve Méline Rollin, une athlète de haut niveau que j'avais déjà reçu en septembre, juste avant son marathon à Amsterdam. Depuis, Méline a parcouru un long chemin marqué par de nombreuses compétitions, contrôles antidopa ... Show More
57m 22s
Aug 2024
192. Inside the Mind of an Olympic Sprinter + Mindset Tips for All Athletes with Micha Powell
<p>In this episode of the Female Athlete Nutrition, I speak with Canadian Olympic sprinter and new author Micha Powell. The daughter of two Olympians, Rosey Edeh and long jump World Record holder Mike Powell, athletics is part of Micha’s DNA. She talks about what it was like grow ... Show More
1h 6m
Jul 2025
Lindsey Hein Interviews Jason on Mindset, His 2:39 Marathon, Injuries, & Race Strategy
<p>Podcaster and coach Lindsey Hein recently hosted Jason on her podcast, I<a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ill-have-another-with-lindsey-hein-podcast/id1100818156">'ll Have Another with Lindsey Hein</a>. The conversation was wide-ranging and touched on a variety o ... Show More
1h 32m
Jul 2025
90. 🏃‍♀️ How to HYROX with Jess Towl, One of the World’s Best (Summer Series)
Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance 👟In this episode of The Mettleset Podcast, we kick off our Summer Series - a special “How To” series focused on giving you the tools, info and inspo to get started in a new sport. From running your first 5k to tra ... Show More
1h 3m
Sep 2024
Marathon Pacing, Training, & Problem-Solving Q&A with Coach Sara Manderscheid
<p dir="ltr">Hoping to improve your marathon performance this fall?</p> <p dir="ltr">Sara Manderscheid is a running coach and podcaster living in Boulder, CO.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sara fell in love with the marathon training process after BQ'ing in her 2019 marathon debut. This fall, ... Show More
1 h
May 2025
Learning to Thrive: A Runner’s Midlife Reinvention with Megan Eastwood (Episode 225)
<p>This week’s guest ultrarunner Megan Eastwood is a portrait of perseverance. She’s lived through trauma, battled eating disorders, and been flattened by perimenopause. Through it all, she’s learned, grown, evolved, and ultimately thrived. Now 55 and postmenopausal, Megan is out ... Show More
1h 7m
Aug 29
“Self-care isn’t selfish!” How to keep fit and have fun
Fearne’s been loving the UEFA Women’s EUROS, so this episode celebrates the huge summer of sport we’re having by listening back to some brilliant sportspeople who’ve told their stories on Happy Place. Plus, if you’ve been inspired to move your own body more, how can you set your ... Show More
44m 43s
Oct 2020
Marcus Smith on Mental Strength
<p>Marcus Smith is an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, extreme athlete, and coach.</p> <p>With a competitive sporting background, fitness has always played a role in Marcus’ life. He played professional rugby from the age of 18, before retiring after the 2009 Rugby Sevens Worl ... Show More
41m 11s
Oct 7
Episode 28: Rhythm & Resilience: Warren Kimball on Negative-Splitting 100 Miles
<p>Warren Kimball—two-time Boston finisher, 100-mile ultra winner, and LSU musicologist—joins us to blend art and endurance. We dig into his 15:35 at Tunnel Hill (closed strong with a negative split), plant-powered fueling, staying calm early, and turning repetition into mastery— ... Show More
1h 10m