Hillary Burgess, better known as Running Up That Hillary, is making the case for every runner who has ever wondered, do I actually belong here? From middle-of-the-pack miles to marathon majors, she shares why the most powerful running stories are often the ones that aren’t polished, perfect, or glamorous.Laura Thornton sits down with Hillary for a candid conversation about humor, ambition, audiobook-fueled runs, and the very real chaos of chasing big goals while juggling work, motherhood, and a packed race calendar. Hillary opens up about what it means to be a self-described average runner who works hard, why the running world often overlooks the middle of the pack, and how honesty can be more validating than inspiration.You’ll hear about:

• Her six-star World Marathon Majors journey, including Chicago, Toronto, and Tokyo
• Why she listens to thrillers on runs and saves music for goal races
• The support system behind her training, from her husband to her parents and kids
• Her favorite mantras for hard miles, including “just keep moving forward”
• The unforgettable summer trail race that turned into a showdown with a water moccasin

Hillary also shares how she stays grounded when people tell her her voice makes them feel seen, and why she believes finish lines matter even when the race doesn’t go to plan. Whether you’re chasing a PR, coming back from a rough race, or just trying to feel a little more at home in running, this conversation is a reminder that you do not have to be elite to be serious.Essential listening for runners who love honesty, humor, and the kind of encouragement that actually helps on the hardest miles.