Amanda Vestri On Running 2:25 “Undercooked” In Her Debut, Working With David Roche, And What She’s Capable Of When Healthy At The 2026 Boston Marathon

In this episode of The CITIUS MAG Podcast, host Chris Chavez welcomes Amanda Vestri, who reflects on her transformative journey from a promising track athlete to a rising marathoner. Vestri discusses her debut at the 2025 New York City Marathon, where she ran 2:25:00 for ninth place despite being undercooked and dealing with lingering injuries—a performance she now views as a testament to her grit and resilience. She credits her dramatic improvement to a pivotal coaching switch to David Roche, who has introduced longer, more strategic long runs, advanced fueling protocols (including 35 grams of carbs every 20 minutes), and a focus on fatigue resistance. Vestri also shares her move from North Carolina to Florida for family support and heat training, which has helped her thrive. She opens up about her evolving relationship with speed work, her admiration for mentors like Jess McLean, and her goal to compete smartly in the 2026 Boston Marathon—not for a specific time, but to finish healthy, race with confidence, and secure a top-three American finish. The episode captures her growth from a passionate but raw competitor to a disciplined, data-aware athlete with a long-term vision. Vestri’s story is one of adaptation, patience, and trust in the process. She acknowledges past mistakes—like going out too hard in New York—and emphasizes learning from them. Her training now includes hill repeats, treadmill workouts, and meticulous recovery, all under Roche’s guidance. She also discusses the importance of mental resilience, the value of mentorship within Brooks’ elite group, and the emotional weight of missing the World Road Running Championships due to the 2025 cancellation. Despite that setback, she remains optimistic, even joking about the possibility of a Brooks sweep in Boston. Ultimately, Vestri’s journey reflects a deeper evolution: from chasing results to embracing the marathon as a long-term calling, where success is measured not just by placement, but by health, enjoyment, and personal growth.