02. Grace Hartman // Prioritizing health is not a sign of weakness, running with joy, tough call for USA’s, identity beyond sport & why running is like a (gluten-free) loaf of bread

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The Third Lap

Adele Alexander

9 episodes

5 days ago

In racing and in life, it's the hard middle laps, not just the finish line that define who we are. The Third Lap Podcast was created to open up honest conversations about the “in-between”. Otherwise known as the uncertain, uncomfortable, yet deeply transformative moments in both running and life. Through candid conversations with runners of all levels, from hobby joggers to elites, The Third Lap explores what it means to keep showing up when the path forward isn’t clear. Each episode aims to remind listeners that no one’s journey is perfectly linear. Trust the process & happy listening!

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02. Grace Hartman // Prioritizing health is not a sign of weakness, running with joy, tough call for USA’s, identity beyond sport & why running is like a (gluten-free) loaf of bread

The Third Lap

1 hour 2 minutes 50 seconds

2 months ago

02. Grace Hartman // Prioritizing health is not a sign of weakness, running with joy, tough call for USA’s, identity beyond sport & why running is like a (gluten-free) loaf of bread

In this episode, I sit down with Grace Hartman, one of the NCAA’s most accomplished and versatile distance runners running for NC State, to talk about the highs, lows, and everything in between. Grace takes us behind the scenes of her journey, opening up about the battles that shaped her standout year. From fighting through sickness during a tough stretch of the indoor season, to bouncing back with a fire that fueled record-breaking outdoor performances. We hear her perspective on opening this past spring 2025 outdoor season by winning Raleigh Relays in the 10k with a new meet record, NC State school record, and the third-fastest time ever run by a woman in NCAA history, and then breaking 15 minutes in the 5k at Duke with the #4 all-time NCAA mark.

After a remarkable string of seasons, Grace’s body was begging for rest. Despite qualifying for USA’s in every event from the 1500 to the 10k, she made one of the toughest calls of her career: pulling out to prioritize her health. While not the decision she imagined, Grace reflects on how this choice brought clarity about what the sport truly means, perhaps reinforcing that athletes are not machines, and that thriving long-term requires joy, balance, and an identity beyond running.

She also emphasizes the role of the mental side of sport, sharing how navigating pressure, maintaining perspective, and leaning on her NC State team culture have been just as critical to her success as the training itself. Oh, and of course we discuss her favorite gluten-free staples and an analogy about bread! Enjoy the episode :)

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