Whittni Morgan had a little bit of delayed gratification as she was named to the U.S. Olympic team in the 5000m about a week after the Trials. So how did it happen?

Elle St. Pierre won the 5000m and finished third in the 1500m but has decided to only run the 1500m at the Paris Olympics. This elevated Parker Valby into that final spot for the 5000m after her fourth place finish in the Olympic Trials final.

Valby also finished second in the 10,000m. After a few days of consideration and conversation with her coaches Will Palmer and Samantha Palmer, she decided to just run the 10,000 meters at the Paris Olympics. She qualified for that event based off her World Ranking.

This meant that Whittni Morgan, who finished fifth in the 5000m final, got the final spot for Paris.

In this episode, we chat about what it was like to get that call. Plus, we talk through just how incredible her comeback has been in the past seven months. She underwent patellar tendon surgery in December and did not run on the ground until early February. She ran her season’s best of 15:06 in the Olympic Trials final. Plus, we chat about what it’s been like to be on this journey with coach Diljeet Taylor for the past few years.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

🍊 OLIPOP – For the past year, we’ve redefined Olipop as more than just a healthy drink known for its gut microbiome with a low sugar content and a much better alternative to regular soda. You know there are more than 16 flavors, including classic root beer, cherry cola, and lemon-lime. You know it as The Runner’s Soda. ⁠Use code CITIUS25 at DrinkOlipop.com⁠

🐾 PUMA – Meet the Deviate NITRO™ Elite 3, PUMA’s lightest raceday shoe ever designed for those who want to stand out. Packed with PUMA’s innovative NITROFOAM™ Elite for superior energy return and a stiffer carbon fibre PWR Plate for maximum speed, this shoe is all about race day performance. Shop and learn more at ⁠PUMA.com/Running