Long Distance Runner Emily Sisson Qualifies For Her Second Olympics, But In A Different Event
by Lisa Costantini
In marathon running, where the only constant is change, Emily Sisson finds it a comfortable place to be. Having competed at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in the 10K long-distance race, she recently qualified to go to her second Games — this time in the marathon.
Before qualifying, she had only run the distance of 26.2 miles three times before — one of which was in Chicago in 2022 when she broke the American record with her second-place time of 2:18.29.
Two years earlier, Sisson attempted to earn an Olympic spot in the marathon — dropping out at mile 21. She would later qualify in the 10K, finishing 10th in Tokyo.
In February, when the 32-year-old placed second at her first U.S. Olympic Team Trials — Marathon, she followed Fiona O’Keefe across the finish line. O’Keefe was racing in the marathon for the first time.
“It just goes to show how deep U.S. distance running is right now,” Sisson said about the constant change on the leaderboard. “There’s so much talent at the top. We could send four teams to the Olympics, and they’d all be competitive.”
While the Olympic Games Paris 2024 will not be her first Olympics, the experience will be new.
“To compete when there’s crowds will be a bonus,” she shared. “In Tokyo, it was an empty stadium, which was so eerie. I could hear what the few people in the stands were saying, which I have never experienced before.”
Her desire to experience a true Games atmosphere motivated her to try again to qualify for the marathon.
“I’ve always dreamed of going to the Olympics in the marathon,” the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, native shared. “I feel like the further I go in distance, the stronger I am — and I hope the more competitive I can be.”
Ultimately, Sisson said, “I’m hoping I can also improve my performance from the last Olympic Games. I really want to see what I can do against the best in the world at this distance.”
While she’s continued working with the same support team since Tokyo, the training for Paris will be completely different. “I probably won’t step foot on a track at all throughout the build,” she shared. Something that will be new for her after a career on the track that includes three top 10 finishes at the world championships and the Olympics.
“I try not to compare what I do with what other people do and what works for them. I have a lot of confidence in my team and how they prepare me,” she said about her constant state of learning. “I also like to be open-minded. I’m not going to go in like I know it all when it comes to the marathon — because I don’t.”
And even though she has punched her ticket, her priority is still on getting to Paris — for what will be her first time racing in France.
“My goals right now are just preparing myself as well as I can for the tough course that we have in Paris,” she said from Providence, Rhode Island, where she lives. She hasn’t thought much about what to expect from herself because she is still working on the preparation. “I want to get as fit and as strong as I can — that’s my focus.”
It’s not an easy task — while also staying healthy and injury-free. Though easier now that she’s taking a bit of a break after trials.
“I don’t like taking full-time off after a marathon,” she said. “I like to move a little bit — just to not get too stiff when I start training.”
She admitted to having a couple of races in the works, but nothing she is ready to announce yet.
“The marathon is a lot on your body,” said Sisson. “So, it’s really important to focus on rest and recovery more than other distances I’ve run. I’ve always felt good at that, but when I moved up to the marathon, I had to up it even more because my body was doing so much. I try sleeping 9-10 hours a night when I’m marathon training.”
Sisson’s shift from her career on the track was recent, focusing on road racing as of only two years ago.
As the daughter of a runner father and a gymnast mother, sports was in her DNA. The oldest of four sisters — all of whom run, but it’s never been their only sport. Sisson shared that it was actually her friends and not her family who first got her into running.
“Growing up, I played soccer and one of my teammates invited me to cross-country practice with her. I really enjoyed it — so much so that I wanted to quit my soccer team,” she said.
It was then that her parents voiced their opinions for the first time concerning her extracurriculars. In their minds, they didn’t think it was a good idea to specialize in just one sport at such a young age. “They told me, ‘When you get older and in high school, then you can focus on one at a time. But when you’re young, you should keep it fun,’” said Sisson.
Thankfully for Sisson, this has all been a lot of fun. And so will the break after Paris where she’s looking forward to spending some downtime with her husband in the south of France.
“I do think it’s good after a marathon to factor in some time to chill. Marathon builds can be physically and mentally a lot — in a good way, but you’re so focused for so long. I think it’s good to get your nervous system to calm down afterward by looking after yourself.”
With a therapist for a husband, she’ll have two people looking out for her.
“It definitely helps being married to a therapist,” she laughed. “The mental side of the sport is important, especially on race day. I think the mental aspect once the training is done is huge, so I try not to neglect that. I think it’s paid off.”
Lisa Costantini has covered Olympic and Paralympic sports for more than a decade, including for the International Olympic Committee. She is a freelance writer who has contributed to TeamUSA.com since 2011.