The Runna Podcast Your 4 Biggest Running Questions Answered with Olympian Coach Colleen Quigley
Aug 29, 2025
Olympian Colleen Quigley shares her journey from modeling to professional running, emphasizing the importance of balancing life with athletics. She offers practical training hacks, highlighting how to structure workouts and understand heart rate zones. Colleen candidly discusses navigating recovery after injury, focusing on rebuilding confidence and maintaining positivity. She advocates for a fun mindset in training, asserting that enjoyment is key to becoming a better runner. This conversation is a treasure trove for runners looking to improve their craft!
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Choosing Running Over Modeling
- Colleen describes choosing running over modeling and launching a pro career that led to the Olympics and multiple U.S. teams.
- She later launched her own pro team Meridia based in Boulder after injury setbacks and a comeback.
Joy First, Performance Follows
- Colleen realised pressure and early success stripped joy from racing and fed an injury cycle.
- She had to restore fun first, then performance followed as a result.
Use HR As A Supplement, Not A Rule
- Check heart-rate device accuracy and prefer a chest strap over wrist sensors.
- Use perceived effort and a personalized max HR test rather than comparing raw HR to others.