Morgan Pearson: Two Time Olympic Silver Medalist, Professional Triathlete with a Running Pedigree, Mr. Zone2
Okay. In the studio today is professional triathlete, Morgan Pearson. He represented the United States in the Olympic Triathlon in both Tokyo and Paris. He's got 2 silver medals from the mixed relay, and he's also kind of a sneaky professional runner because he just ran a 61 minute half marathon 2 weeks ago, which is insane, the ability for him to be able to do triathlon and running at a super high level. So in the podcast today, we dive into his background a little bit.
Justin Metzler:We talk a lot about his training, specifically some of the the marriage between running and triathlon, how he's managing that. And, we also talked a little bit about the Olympics, his experience there, some of the social media things that he's famous for, and what's next for him in the future here as we head into another Olympic cycle, and he does his first long course race here in a couple weeks. So, I really enjoyed this conversation with Morgan. It was great to catch up with him, and I know you're gonna enjoy it too. Enjoy this one with Morgan.
Justin Metzler:Peace. Alright. Welcome to another episode of Endurance Matters. I'm your host, Justin Metzler. On the podcast today is Olympian, Morgan Pearson.
Justin Metzler:Morgan, welcome to the show. Thanks, man. It's great to be
Morgan Pearson:here. Yeah. Absolutely. It's awesome
Justin Metzler:to have you on. Well, I start the podcast off with a hard hitting questions. So the question for you is, would you rather do a marathon, but you can only swim and bike in training, or would you rather do a triathlon, but you can only run-in preparation for the race?
Morgan Pearson:Do a triathlon and only run.
Justin Metzler:Yeah. You think you'd be fine with a swim and bike?
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I don't I don't think I would do well, really. But I a marathon is I mean, what am I doing it an Ironman? Or
Justin Metzler:Yeah. Let's call it an Ironman because then it's equal.
Morgan Pearson:Oh, if it's an Ironman, then I'd do a marathon. Yeah. Just swimming bike. But if it was, like, a half half, yeah, half Ironman or less, I'd I'd pick a triathlon. That's a
Justin Metzler:good answer. That's a good good answer. Well, cool. Yeah. I wanna hear definitely more.
Justin Metzler:Like, I've got a lot of questions, about training and a lot of questions about, like, yeah, the Olympics and stuff like that, but I wanna rewind a little bit. So tell me a little bit about, your upbringing and your background in sports.
Morgan Pearson:Sure. So I I'm from New Jersey, and, my I I had 3 brothers, and my mom decided to swim sign us up for swim lessons. I think she read in a magazine that if you do swimming, you're you get better grades or something like that. So we signed up for the swim team when I was quite young. I think 3rd grade or something like that.
Morgan Pearson:And, yeah, basically swam from then until high school. Senior year, I was still on the team. Of course, I was I started doing, like, cross country in 7th, 8th grade, couple weeks a year, running, couple months. And then by the time I was a senior in high school, I was, like, really into the running thing, much better running than swimming. So I was running, you know, whatever, 60 miles a week.
Morgan Pearson:I don't I don't even I have no clue, but and then swimming maybe, like, twice a week. So, basically, I I had a great background for the triathlon, but I decided to go to college to run. And, yeah, I did, went to Duke for a year, transferred to CU, did did alright, but nothing like, I I was a good runner, not Olympic level, runner out of college. So I decided after college, I I ran for, like, a year, worked some odd jobs and stuff, but I decided to give the triathlon a go. And in 20 starting in 2018, I, yeah, basically went all in.
Morgan Pearson:The goal was to make the Olympics, and, yeah, I guess I guess that that's that's the story in a few sentences. Yeah.
Justin Metzler:No. That was a very good fast recap. I wanna rewind a little bit. Like, what was were you recruited by USA Triathlon to do triathlon, or how did that first enter your life?
Morgan Pearson:I it's kind of a mix, like, of both in the sense. I actually reached out to them initially because I was, you know, I want I was running after college, and, you know, I I I didn't really have, like, a really good plan graduating college, which, you know, for better or for worse, I think some people know exactly what they wanna do with the rest of their life, and others are less, confident in what they wanna do. And I was I was just I knew I I loved running. I felt like I I had a lot, a lot left in the tank. But, yeah.
Morgan Pearson:It was hard. Like, I was I was working different jobs, trying to make it, you know, I was it it didn't really have anyone kinda, like, telling me what to do, how to do it. I was just kinda figuring out which by myself, which probably wasn't the best thing. But through all that, I, you know, I got kinda frustrated just feeling like I had you know, I was a little bit, like my life was a little bit out of control, and I was like, oh, I you know, I swim. So I I actually reached out to USA Triathlon.
Morgan Pearson:Simultaneously, I actually started running really well and did get a, like, a small, running contract. So I was like, oh, I'm getting good at running now, and, like, I'm gonna pursue this. And then at the same time, USA Triathlon was recruiting me. So it was what it was kind of like, I reached out to them initially, but then running started going well. And then they started really recruiting me heavily.
Morgan Pearson:And then, yeah, that's that's kinda what happened.
Justin Metzler:What was the incentive to stick with triathlon versus continue with the professional running? Was it not financially viable? Was your motivation all in triathlon at the time? How did that work out?
Morgan Pearson:Well, simply put, I wanted to go to the Olympics. And for me, you know, I've said this before, but, like, growing up as a swimmer and runner, like, the Olympics is, you know, the pinnacle of those sports. And while I wasn't I definitely wasn't a good enough swimmer, and I to if I was being honest myself, probably wasn't a good enough runner to to make the Olympics in running. When I was getting recruited by USA Triathlon. I, you know, obviously, they're recruiting you.
Morgan Pearson:They're saying these nice things about you. But, I thought that was maybe my best option to make the Olympic team. So it was hard. You know, it was kinda it was hard to walk away from running because, you know, I I loved it, and, I still felt like I I had improvements to be made. But, of course, you know, running is part of triathlon, so it's not like I was, like, quitting it altogether.
Morgan Pearson:So I think that was part of it too. It it made it a little bit easier to transition.
Justin Metzler:Sure. In that 1st year of professional running, would there have been a race result or a time that you would have run that would have maybe kept you on the running track and kept that Olympic dream alive in running, or did you not feel like that was gonna happen in the 1st year too of professional running?
Morgan Pearson:Well, I think one thing that actually happened that kind of accelerated the process was I actually got injured. So, like, I would I ran indoors and did I ran, like, 749 and won the race in a 3 k, which is pretty good. I mean, these tie these these days, you know, high school kids are probably running that. But back then, it would you know, it it wasn't like a world class time or anything, but it was the fact that I won the race. The indoor season went well.
Morgan Pearson:You know, it was it was encouraging. But I actually you know, I was about to do a 10 k on the track, and, I because of that, I would I'd sign up for a local race at at CU, and I it was like a 50 I think I did a 1500 at just a local race kind of prime like a you know, it's you know, I think a a lot of runners, you know, they have a big race. They might wanna do a kind of a tune up workout. Or in this case, I just jumped in a race. And then I remember I, like, I did that.
Morgan Pearson:I did well. You know, it wasn't anything special, but it was the middle of training, 1500 altitude. I won the race again, but then I came home, and I just I remember my foot started hurting, and I had a stress fracture in one of my metatarsals. And, yeah, that cut that that made it that accelerated my the triathlon stuff because I think, you know, who knows? But I think the USA Triathlon people were like, oh, we'll send you a bike so you can cross train, and, like, we'll link you up with some swim groups so you can cross train.
Morgan Pearson:So I was like, alright. Great. Like and I think that was kind of when I really started taking it more seriously because I, you know, I was I actually like getting on the bike, and, I mean, we live I lived in Boulder then too, and, like, it's an you know, it's a beautiful place to bike, like, going up and down, you know, Lee, you know, Lee, you know, Lee Hill or something. Like, I was biking up these, like, climbs, and I'm like, wow. This is pretty cool, pretty fun.
Morgan Pearson:And then getting, you know, getting back in the pool, like, from you know, I I took, like, 5 years off or whatever it was from high school. I was like, wow. I'm actually you know, it's coming back quicker than I expected. So stuff like that all kinda kinda accelerate the process. So, yeah, I mean, when I was, you know, a runner, I wouldn't say there was one race that kinda wanted to keep me in it.
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. So maybe for the better.
Justin Metzler:Yeah. Yeah. For sure. I've got some questions here about your training. I don't know too much about it, so I'm curious to get into it a little bit.
Justin Metzler:But from my perspective, you're pretty well known for liking to go hard in training.
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. Yeah. I yeah. I mean, I I don't know. I I it's funny because I I don't really like I share a lot on social media, but I actually don't share very much specific
Justin Metzler:Yeah. Totally.
Morgan Pearson:With my training. So it's people I think people think things that aren't necessarily true, but I definitely train hard. Like, I definitely work really hard, and it's my job. And it's, like, a 100%. So Yeah.
Morgan Pearson:That's certainly true.
Justin Metzler:There are some athletes, you know, listeners of the podcast will know. I I like to get into the weeds a bit on Strava and stuff, and sometimes I'll poke around on yours. But like you said, you're not, like, completely a 100% transparent like some other athletes that
Morgan Pearson:Yeah.
Justin Metzler:Share everything that they're doing. And so my question is I wanna get a little bit more into the training, but my question is, in the coaches that you've had in triathlon, have you butted heads with any of them because of your desire to do things one way, and they're maybe trying to, like, put you in a box or hold you back at all? Or have has it always been a collaboration with the coaches?
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. I mean, totally. I mean, I'm I So I'm coached by Ryan Bolton right now, who's he he actually coaches a lot of or in the past, like, Ironman and long course athletes. Yep. And, you know, one thing I really, appreciate about him as a coach is he does.
Morgan Pearson:He is really open to, like, collaboration and, you know, because he doesn't live here. So it's he I think and he's he was an athlete himself. So I think he knows, like, it's about the day to day is really important and, you know, being able to go swim with a group or, you know, just, you know, like, setting up your life in a way that is conducive to training well is almost as important as the workouts themselves. So, yeah. In the past, I feel like I had coaches that were maybe more like my way or the highway.
Morgan Pearson:Whereas now, you know, I'm you know, it's still when I talk to guys who are coached by Ryan, especially on the short course, you know, because they'll show up to a WTS and we're you know, we'll talk about training. And it's like, a lot of it's the same, but it's just like, maybe my week's just set up a little bit differently. Like, lately, I've been doing, you know, my long runs on Wednesday, instead of over the weekend or, like, my long rides on Tuesday instead of a lot of athletes are doing it on the weekend, but just little things like that. So, that's been really, really cool to work with Ryan for.
Justin Metzler:What is the reasoning behind maybe doing things differently? Like, those guys would probably I know Ryan's plan well enough to know that they do long ride every Saturday, long run every Sunday. Like, why would you change it to a Tuesday, Wednesday?
Morgan Pearson:So for example, I, there's a Stages group ride, which is I mean, it's only about an hour, but I've I really as a short course athlete, we ride in the pack. It's surgery. It's you know, getting getting those reps in with the group is, pretty important, I'd say, especially for me who, you know, I didn't grow up biking. So, being able to do that as part of my long ride you know, all some of these guys are down in Phoenix, and they go to the what's that face?
Justin Metzler:The shoot up.
Morgan Pearson:The shoot up. I mean and, like, that one's really you know, that's a world class ride and stuff, but at least I'm getting some reps, and it's there is good riders there. So that is one tweak. For example, getting on the track in around town, it's not always the easiest. But if you go on a Sunday, you can you know, class is not in session.
Morgan Pearson:So sometimes there's, you know, sports games or stuff like that, but you can you can almost always find a clear track. So it's it's little stuff like that where, you know, it's it's not, it doesn't seem really important. However, you know, it it if if you can make your life that much easier, like, if I don't have to wake up at 5:30 on a day that's 20 degrees out and I can wait until 9:30 and it's 40, that's a you know, that's decrease in injury stuff. You know? I'm recovering better, getting better sleep.
Morgan Pearson:So stuff like that does make a big difference, I think.
Justin Metzler:Yep. For sure. I know Bolton's plan.
Morgan Pearson:I
Justin Metzler:was down in Tucson this, this winter and, yeah, got to know him a little bit and just have observed training from Jason Pohl or Sam Long previously. Ryan's known for having pretty high volume, high intensity. Is your plan, also high volume, high intensity? And what kind of sort of, like, weekly hours are you averaging?
Morgan Pearson:So the thing about Ryan training I've noticed is, like, the total volume in the week isn't I I mean, I don't think it's that crazy. I'm sure if you were, you know, never done triathlon in your life, you might Sure. You might find it, you know, intimidating. But for me, it's like it's he does some really big sessions, and and they're not even, like, the paces or the power output is, like, crazy, but it's more, like, wow. We're doing 10 miles of hard you know, one session we do is, you you know, it's a 18 mile run, and within that, it's a 4 mile, like, piece, whatever you wanna call it.
Morgan Pearson:4 mile 3, 2, 1. So that's 10 miles of hard running. Like, that's that's a pretty big, meaty session.
Justin Metzler:Yeah.
Morgan Pearson:So that's when I hear people talk about stuff with Ryan's training, that's what I think of. Like, I've I've been doing some 5 hour rides late lately. Even leading up to the the grand final a few weeks ago, like, I was doing some 5 hour rides. That's I'm sure there's a lot of short course athletes that aren't doing anything close to a 5 hour long ride. But, yeah.
Morgan Pearson:I mean, I think yeah. I I mean, I I like it. I it's it's one of those things where I it's like, I think it's a healthy challenge. When I started getting coached by Ryan, I I think coaches in the past was oh, like, it was almost always they're trying to hold me back.
Justin Metzler:Yeah.
Morgan Pearson:And I think, you know, I think people, oh, that's the sign of a coach. And I think that's true, and Ryan does hold me back. But I think it's there's there's more nuance to it, and I think being challenged in training is also important. You don't wanna be you know, you don't wanna feel like you're always being held back. I've had coaches like that in the past, and it's like, that leaves something to be desired, and I think you're not gonna reach your potential.
Morgan Pearson:So I really, I really appreciate that. Yeah. Absolutely.
Justin Metzler:Sponsor of today's episode is Precision Fuel and Hydration. These guys have been an awesome partner of mine for many years, and I really love the entire product line. They helped me tremendously when it came down to getting my fluid needs, sorted out, getting my electrolyte needs organized, and also just figuring out how many carbs per hour I needed, and they have an entire product line that has a lot of variety and different options for you. So my favorite option from them is the -thirty chew. I sort of take them out of the wrapper and load them into my top tube storage compartment on my bike and just munch on those every 20 or 30 minutes when I'm out doing a hard training session or doing a race.
Justin Metzler:They also have a bunch of sweat experts over there who can help you figure out exactly what your fluid carbohydrate, and electrolyte needs are. So head on over to pfandh.com. Team code big Mets 15. Once again, that's big Mets 15 via the link provided. Is there anything in reflection of your life, when you were professionally running compared to life as a professional triathlete that you miss?
Morgan Pearson:I mean, being a professional runner, that's a bit of a stretch to say that I was. I, you know, I did have a lot more free when I say free time, I was I still, like, worked. Like, I still had some jobs and stuff. And, Yeah. I mean, it's I definitely had more you like, let's be honest.
Morgan Pearson:You know, pro running, you you have more time. Like, I was actually talking to my friend, and we were talking you know, basically, he's like, yeah. This is how I fill my day as a pro runner, and I'm like, I never have that problem. Yeah. Like, it's usually the opposite of, like, how can I actually take time to relax and, like, get in those a couple hours in the middle of the day where I'm actually recovering?
Morgan Pearson:So, Yeah. I mean, it's hard. It's it's hard, long hours, but, I mean, like, I'm sure you are I'm sure you're the same. I mean, I know you. I know you're the same.
Morgan Pearson:Like, it's one of those things where when you're in it, it's like, oh, this kinda stinks, but I think when you think really think about it, you're like, I actually you know, I love this. This is Yeah. This is like I I wanna do this.
Justin Metzler:So There's nothing else I'd rather do
Morgan Pearson:Yeah.
Justin Metzler:Than train for 5, 6 hours every day or go do a 5 hour ride. Like, that's the best thing. And you can't really do that in professional running. Right? Like, what's or even full time running.
Justin Metzler:Like, you're not gonna run more than 2, 2 and a half hours. Right? Like, in the build up to a marathon.
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I I know some runners that have done, like, 3 hour runs, in their marathon build up. But, yeah, I mean, that's, like, a middle of the week ride for for a triathlete. You know?
Morgan Pearson:That might be For sure. A recovery ride for someone. Yeah.
Justin Metzler:Yeah. A 100%. A 100%. Yeah. I'm curious to, I wanna circle back to Ryan a little bit.
Justin Metzler:Like, he is the high performance director for USA Triathlon in addition to being your coach. Is that true?
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. So yeah. I mean, because when I started working with Ryan, I was coming off an injury, and, you know, I kinda, you know, had whatever. Like, me and my other coach separated, and, it was 2022, and it was just the kinda like the second half of the year. And, he was just like, I'll help you kinda build back back into shape.
Morgan Pearson:And, and then I I raced well, so then I just was like, okay. I wanna keep doing this. So yeah. I mean, he he works for USA Triathlon, and, he coaches some USA Triathlon athletes. I mean, his, like, you know, I know he his role is very involved.
Morgan Pearson:I'm probably not the person to, like, ask or, excuse me, to explain his role
Justin Metzler:Sure.
Morgan Pearson:Because I know I know he does a lot that I don't know about, behind the scenes and yeah. But he's he's at a lot of the races, which is, as an athlete, really nice.
Justin Metzler:Yep. I guess my question is, what is your, aside from your relationship with Ryan, what is your, perception or perspective or opinion on USA Triathlon High Performance as a whole?
Morgan Pearson:I think well, it's it's funny. I this maybe not the nicest thing, but I would say describe it right now as a bit, like, inconsistent. You know, they've had, you know, they had a lot of turn you know, even the time that I've done the sport, which is not long, they've had a lot of turnover of staff. I would say that, like, no one has it's a it's a completely new group of people from when I started. And, Yeah.
Morgan Pearson:So it's you know, they there is some things that I'm really grateful for, and then there's other things I would say they'd better. But I think that's, you know, that's any job and boss and, or federation and, you know, team or what you know, it's it's a weird, whatever. You know, the tea the high performance team is, like, it's hard to compare to something else. But if you do compare it to another job, like, there's always gonna be problems and, you know, I everyone has their opinion. Everyone has the right to their opinion.
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. Everyone has the right to wanna be supported as an athlete. Like, I mean, if I know you know, there's there's there's athletes where I'm like like, in my mind, it's like, like, why are you demanding so much from them? Like, you don't you don't like, I you haven't shown. You don't deserve what what you're asking for, but, like, at the end of the day, like, these athletes believe in themselves, and they wanna be the their best.
Morgan Pearson:So, like, they have the right to do that. So, yeah, I mean, it'll be interesting. I think they're kinda going through some changes now, at the end of you know, obviously, the Olympic quad is kinda like, you know, a beginning and an ending. So Sure. It'll be and, like, even I you know, I've only done one WTS since Paris, but I've noticed little changes, that I that I like.
Morgan Pearson:So I I appreciate, little things are changing. And, I personally, I believe some small changes can can really go a long way and snowball into something greater. So
Justin Metzler:Yeah. And you don't wanna throw the baby out with the bathwater. I mean, you guys got 2 Olympic medals. That's great. And there were no Olympic medals in the individual races for Tokyo or Paris
Morgan Pearson:for the US? Katie Zafiras got bomb. Correct. In Tokyo. Yeah.
Morgan Pearson:Yeah.
Justin Metzler:So you don't wanna totally, like, yeah, rewrite the script because there was some success there. But, of course, like, the goal is, of course, to get gold medals and have more individual medals, and obviously progress.
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. The goal is to get, 7 medals to sweep the podium men and women and get the, the relay gold. So
Justin Metzler:Easy. We failed. Yeah. That's a pretty mortgage guy, like, highest standards for anybody.
Morgan Pearson:Well, I mean, I mean, that's the goal, you know? Yeah. We didn't even qualify 3 minutes.
Justin Metzler:Yeah. Totally. Can you explain a little bit to me and maybe the listeners, and maybe you can't because you don't know or whatever, but can you just explain a little bit, like, the importance of the USA Triathlon funding for athletes like yourself and some of the other athletes and maybe some of the discrepancies in what athletes are receiving versus their actual performance on the race course?
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. I mean so the biggest the really big thing with the funding, I think, is, like, honestly, just travel to races. Totally. I mean, we're rate you know, there was a WTS in China. There was a WTS in, Abu Dhabi.
Morgan Pearson:There's there's gonna be one in Czech Republic next year. So, like, they're just they're just all over the world and, like, you know, that's that's not easy for that's a lot of, you know, like, let's be honest. That's just a lot of money to fly there, get a hotel room. So I think the fund you know, for us, whether you're, you know, the top level funded athlete or just, a development athlete as I once was, being able to go to those races, not feel like you're losing money. And, that's you know, it's really important, for us.
Morgan Pearson:And I you know, for better or for worse, as a short course Olympic distance triathlete in the US, like, the sponsorships are not they're not as easy to come by. I think Ironman is kind of where more like, especially in the US, which makes sense. I mean, age groupers do Ironman. They go to the races. They're they, you know, they see the pros.
Morgan Pearson:They see, you know, they see you riding envy wheels. They see Sam Long riding a track, like and that that that intrigues them. Whereas us, it's like, some of our races, there's an age group race, age group element, but a lot of them, there's not. There's niche fans. A lot of them are your you know, in the US, it's just it's a smaller, a smaller group of fans, and, it's it's definitely not, like, you know, it's not a super lucrative thing to do.
Morgan Pearson:I mean, I guess if you're winning every WTS, you're gonna there you can make the prize money is is, like, worth it, I guess, if you do really well. Sure. But, like, we all know that's it's hard it's hard to win in WTS. It's hard to be consistent. And, so just having that, you know, travel, security, and, you know, hopefully, they see it as they're building towards each Olympic games, building towards, you know, winning medals for the Olympics, which, like you said, we did we did come on with the silver in the relay, and then 2 in in, Tokyo.
Morgan Pearson:So, yeah, I think it is, you know, I don't I don't know exactly how it works. I think I think it's I that's actually one thing after, the Paris Olympics that I asked, went to USA Triathlon. And I was just like, hey. Can we I would I think it'd benefit everyone if it it was more clear, how this worked, why, like, why you make certain decisions. I mean, at the end of the day, like, we're all adults.
Morgan Pearson:We're you know, some of us are parents, have families. You know, I'm, you know, I'm in my thirties now. Like, it's just, like, it's a job, and I feel like having that, transparency is important. So that's actually one thing I asked for, excuse me, after after the, this past Olympics. And not and I'm not even, like, oh, I deserve more money.
Morgan Pearson:Like, because I know it's not, you know, money doesn't grow on trees. Sure. And it's like it's it's it's not easy for anyone to just, you know, come up with these dollars. But, I think just transparency is really important. So Yeah.
Justin Metzler:Do you feel a responsibility for maybe some of the younger guys like Dar, John that you train with to be that spokesman for them or for yourself?
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. No. I I do. I mean, honestly, after after Paris, you know, I I felt like if someone was gonna say something, it it was probably gonna be me. And, so I kinda decided to do that.
Morgan Pearson:I mean, yeah. Like, John, I mean, he's a, you know, I don't 23 now. So he's, you know, he's he's he's approaching the point where he's gonna be, you know, contending every WTS. Yeah. You know, he's already done really well, but he's not gonna go to the the head of USA Triathlon and be like, like, where's his money going?
Morgan Pearson:Why is it going that you know, it's just it's not on his mind for 1, and it's also just it's not it shouldn't be his responsibility. So Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I think after being on the 2 Olympic teams, getting the 2 relay medals, like, you know, I'm in a place now where, you know, I could, you know, I could I might I might not you know, I'm who knows? Maybe I might not be in LA.
Morgan Pearson:I might I might not qualify. I may maybe I'll call it quits. So I just felt like it it was kinda my mind or maybe tailing it, but I she's got a lot of other stuff going on.
Justin Metzler:Yeah. Absolutely. Absolutely. Yep. Okay.
Justin Metzler:Well, I wanna circle back to, you had mentioned in 2022, you had a foot injury. That's kind of like a point of,
Morgan Pearson:Yeah.
Justin Metzler:A point that we kind of connected on because you were struggling with your foot quite a bit. That's when my foot started to sort of go a little bit. And we had kind of run into each other a little bit in training, swam together a couple times, did one memorable ride. I don't know if you remember that guy. Oh, dude.
Morgan Pearson:I still have the video on my phone.
Justin Metzler:Oh, yeah. Well, we could tell the audience a little bit about that. Like, I was out on a TT ride or whatever just doing a 5 hour ride, and I saw Morgan at, like, this coffee shop gas station thing, and we team time trialed back to
Morgan Pearson:town. What happened? It was from my my perspective, it was even more hilarious. So I was riding with my friend, and then we were just you know, we were on road bikes going, whatever, a 100 and 80 watt. You know, like, whatever.
Morgan Pearson:Just leisurely pace. And we just start riding with this French man, older guy. But I'm like, I don't know. This guy's nice. We're and this is what?
Morgan Pearson:2019, probably?
Justin Metzler:Yeah. Yeah. It was. I remember the bike I was on.
Morgan Pearson:And this guy just, like I first off, no offense. Like, I couldn't understand half the words he was saying. But, like, you know, we're all we're all out there. It's kind of, like, a wintery day, like, whatever. We're just talking and trying to be nice.
Morgan Pearson:And and then you just fly by us on your time trial bike. And this French guy goes, oh, a Challenger. And he just starts sprinting to catch up to you. And I'm just, like, laughing inside Yeah. And, honestly, probably outside too.
Morgan Pearson:And so me and my friend, like, we both we're just, like we look at each other. We're, like,
Justin Metzler:we gotta go.
Morgan Pearson:And we just sprint and catch you. And then, like, just sit on your I I don't know if you're doing an interval or just, like, riding pretty pretty solid. And we we, like, sit on your wheel until you kinda sit up, and you're just, like yeah. That's what I remember.
Justin Metzler:I think I looked back and, like, you were on my wheel, and then there was, like, a train of 8 guys behind that. And I'm, like, I don't and then I got into it, and we were
Morgan Pearson:all kinda doing it or whatever.
Justin Metzler:It was Yeah.
Morgan Pearson:Because I think, like, the guy was the first one to sprint, but then I, like, paced line with him to catch you. But I will never forget him. That's actually something we I used to say, like, with my friend. I'll be like, oh, a challenger. Yeah.
Morgan Pearson:Just because that French guy. It was it was really funny.
Justin Metzler:Yeah. We we, like, joked around about that at rally whenever we swim together. Be like, oh, challenger or whatever. So, anyways, my getting back to my my line of questioning here, we had a mutual, yeah, connection over both having a foot injury. I reached out to you to ask, like, who you had seen to get it looked at or whatever.
Justin Metzler:What was the injury, and, like, what have you done to overcome that? Because it was a pretty significant injury. Correct?
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. Yeah. I it's really hard to put in, like, to describe the injury. It was my ankle, Achilles. So, yeah, like, foot.
Morgan Pearson:And, it just really hurt to run Yeah. To put, like and it would get worse as I ran. I mean, I remember one day because, you know, anyone who struggle with Achilles stuff, it's not it's not a straight, it's not a straightforward, oh, you have a stress fracture in your shin. You have to take 8 8 weeks off running. You get back.
Morgan Pearson:You go down the Altergy for 2 weeks every other day. Then you do walk, run. Like, there's kind of a protocol for these sort of things. I feel like with Achilles, like, if a PT if you go to see a PT and he's giving you a protocol to get over an Achilles, like, I would just walk out the door because he doesn't know like, he doesn't know what he's talking about because it's not a there's it's he just doesn't know what he's talking about. And, I mean, I don't know either, so don't ask me for advice.
Morgan Pearson:But, it's just a really it's hard to navigate. I mean, I remember one. I went out for this run. You know, Bubble Link. How Yeah.
Morgan Pearson:It's like it's a trailer trail here in Boulder, flat, but in reality, it's kinda net, like, uphill on the way out, maybe, like, 1%, 2%. The way back. Well, I guess depending on what side you start on, but the way back is net downhill. And the and most people when they have an Achilles problem, going up hurts their Achilles more because it's the Achilles is more stretched out. And, like, if there's, like, that scar tissue, it's, like, it's under more tension.
Morgan Pearson:I was, like, fine going out. I did 3 miles out, and I'm, like and I just took in some time off, and I flip, turn back. Within, like, 5 minutes, my Achilles was on fire. And and let me I forgot to mention, like, there is not a lot of swelling in my Achilles going into this run, maybe a little. When I when I, like, stopped after flipping and jogging, like, 5 minutes, my Achilles had, like, quadrupled in size.
Morgan Pearson:It was like it all this swelling was in, like, in, like, a mile of running. It was it was and it was so painful, and I, like, walked it in. And I, you know, I was just, like, I was totally lost. I don't know. Like, it's hard to put it, like, oh, it's this injury.
Morgan Pearson:It was my Achilles is hurting. In the end, like, I I I saw, a guy, and basically, there was, like, a lot of bones were, you know, not moving well in my foot and out of place. And then over time, there was scar tissue holding them there, so they couldn't kinda, like, move back into place. And it was just, like, my foot was just basically, like, almost like a cast. I would describe, like, a cast, and this stuff was not moving at all.
Morgan Pearson:And, you know, everyone always talks about how there's, like, a 100 bones in your foot, but, like, everything was just stuck or moving in the wrong place. And it just took someone who really knew what they were doing to basically just, like, help get rid of the scar tissue, help put things back into place. I think I had I think it there's other things going on in my body with my hips that was kinda leading to this. So it was, it was a tough year. Probably, like, 6 months of, like, very limited running, so that was, that was difficult.
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. I know you dealt with a similar stuff. Yeah.
Justin Metzler:Yeah. I mean, I like you said, it's the Achilles is not linear by any means because, I mean, I did 2 years of Ironman training on my Achilles, and it hurt every day. And, like, I'm sitting here. I just had surgery 3 weeks ago to finally try and fix the thing. But, yeah, like, Achilles is not is not easy.
Justin Metzler:Yeah. You almost wish that you had a stress fracture. I wish I had gotten a stress fracture instead.
Morgan Pearson:Well, like, you're like, oh, it's just it's just, like, soft tissue. And then, like, 3 months go by, and you're like, I wish I just got a stress fracture.
Justin Metzler:I know. I know.
Morgan Pearson:Because you're like, Ivy, I at least know where I'm at right now.
Justin Metzler:Yeah. You at least have a timeline whereas you could drag out the Achilles like me for 3 years.
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. Still never
Justin Metzler:achieve high performance.
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. It's really hard. But, yeah.
Justin Metzler:Anyways, I'm glad you're over it. So you feel like you have a good grasp on everything now with it?
Morgan Pearson:Totally. I to be completely honest, like, there's times where I could feel my Achilles, like, it's ongoing, but I feel like, as an athlete, I've really, you know, I've learned, you know, I've learned a lot about my body, preventative measures. You know, for example, my talus bone is, which is a floating bone in the foot. Like, I, like, I know that will pretty frequently. Not that.
Morgan Pearson:Maybe, like, once every 3 months, like, just randomly come out of place.
Justin Metzler:Yeah.
Morgan Pearson:And I know now I know the exact feeling. Like, I'll go for a run, and I'll feel it. And I'm like, that's my talisman out of place, and then I know who to go see and that sort of thing. So, I mean, it's not like anything, it's an ongoing, journey. But, knock on wood, it's, you know, it's it's not bothering me now.
Morgan Pearson:That's great, man.
Justin Metzler:You give me hope.
Morgan Pearson:You give
Justin Metzler:me hope. Well, cool. I wanna just talk a little bit. I have a whole line of questions here about, like, your, maybe marriage or collaboration between running at a high level and doing triathlon. So you just ran a 61 minute half marathon in Valencia, which is like you know, that's professional running time.
Morgan Pearson:Yeah.
Justin Metzler:That's very, very competitive. When did you decide that you were gonna maybe incorporate some more running into your into what you're doing, I guess, in, like, the last couple
Morgan Pearson:Like running races? Yeah. Like running races.
Justin Metzler:Or, like, the cross country championships you've done in winter and stuff? Like, when did that sort of why was triathlon maybe, how did you feel as if did you feel as if that was gonna be an addition to your triathlon thing, or is it its own thing?
Morgan Pearson:Well, I think each running race is kind of its own unique thing. So, for example, the I ran US Cross Country in January, and, I took a, like, all of October off, and I got, you know, to be honest, I got, like, I put on a little bit of weight and got out of shape. And, I wasn't the first WTS was in March, but it's in Abu Dhabi, and I since I already qualified for Paris, I was, like, I don't wanna fly out there. I wanna just, you know that's a lot it's a lot of travel to go out there for a sprint distance race. The year before, I went out there and I got COVID, and I was just I just want I I wanna optimize repairs, whatever.
Morgan Pearson:So in that case, I I almost just wanted something to sign up for and get me motivated to train, and, like, it it served its purpose. I mean, I was training as a triathlete. So that one was a little more like, this is kinda just you you know, it's you know, I'm I could train without a race, but it does help to have something on the on the calendar and, you know, get excited, especially in those, those winter months, shorter days. And, obviously, you know you know, this summer just feels so far away. Like, it for that for me, it was, like, almost a motivation thing.
Justin Metzler:Sure.
Morgan Pearson:The half, you know, that one was, you know, I that was more like I actually had a goal, in mind, and it was after the Olympics. And, you know, I I wanted to go there and, you know, I enjoy it. You know, to be honest, I enjoy it. You know, it was after the Olympics, so I felt a little bit you know? Maybe did I take away from triathlon?
Morgan Pearson:I don't I don't think so. I mean, it was after the WTS, the final, and, I don't think it really took anything away. I actually swam and biked, you know, quite well there. So, the run was actually the one that was not good. So, yeah, I don't think it took anything away, but that that was more just I wanna, you know, see what I can do in a half, in a fast half.
Morgan Pearson:It was one of those things where the the grand final was in Spain, and Valencia was the weekend after. And I remember seeing that on the calendar over, maybe, like, in June or something, like, way before, and just being like, oh, like, that could be really cool. So, each running race is kind of its own it's not like I'm you know, it's like I need to run this time to be in this shape to run this time off the bike. It's more like it's more just, each is unique.
Justin Metzler:Yep. Are you doing anything in training in preparation for these races? Like, even if it's subconsciously or in the back of your mind, like, in the build up to the grand final in Valencia, are you out there doing your 4 three two one run and thinking, ah, I gotta push this a little bit?
Morgan Pearson:It's funny because I totally. I mean, I would say when I was swimming, I was focused on the final. When I was biking, I was focused on the final. When I was, you know, trying to eat healthy in the gym, go to bed on time, whatever. All that stuff, I was focused on the final.
Morgan Pearson:But when I was running, I was focused
Justin Metzler:on Valencia.
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. For sure. Like, in that from, like, Paris until, you know, from my when I took a little break to, like, doing doing those races, it was like it was like when I was in the run workouts, like, that was that was my focus, if I'm being honest. And I think that's okay.
Justin Metzler:Yeah. Yeah. For sure. Was there any moment or in reflection, have there been moments where you're thinking about your training and you're beating other high class professional runners, like, at the cross country championship or at Valencia and thinking, like, there's something to triathlon training that's allowing me to be really competitive off not professional running mileage.
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. That's I think that's a really, that's a great question, and I think the answer is not, crystal clear to me because there is aspects of triathlon training that I think really do, you know, help me excel as a runner. But there's also aspects of triathlon being a triathlete triathlon training that I think detract from being a good runner. I mean, let's just like, physics. Like, carrying around £12 of, you know, upper body muscle is, you know that's helping me swim, and I need it for the triathlon.
Morgan Pearson:But, like, just from a physics like, that's that's not helping me run. Like, let's just be honest.
Justin Metzler:Yeah.
Morgan Pearson:So but I'm also getting in, you know, whatever, however many more hours in the pool on the bike that I, you know, non weight born, excuse me, non weight bearing, you know, quote unquote cross training.
Justin Metzler:Sure.
Morgan Pearson:So I I think it's a nuanced question, and, I I don't have a perfect answer, but it's it's let's put it this way. If I ran, you know, whatever, I'm running 50 to 60 miles a week and didn't do the cross training, I don't think I'd be running, you know, getting 4th in US cross or, you know, running 61. But if I was purely focused on running, maybe doing a little cross training is kind of a complimentary, piece. I think I think I could run faster than what I am. So that's kinda my best answer.
Justin Metzler:Sure. On your best day with a year build up to each, what do you think your capacity is for, half marathon time and a marathon time?
Morgan Pearson:Oh, I think I wanna I I wanna break 60 in my life. A year build up, I think I, honestly, I think I could do that off triathlon training, so I think it'd be hard. I think I'd have to have a special day. A lot of things would have to go right. A year.
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. I mean, I who knows? Like, I mean, yeah, I think I could break 60. And then for the marathon, I I don't know. I think I think the marathon is a a different beast.
Morgan Pearson:I would like to think I could, you know, let's let's let's put it this way. I would like to think I could, you know, be competitive on the US circuit, like, be competitive with the top guys and potentially, you know, you know, get top 3 at the trials. At what time I could run, I I I don't know. But, I think if, you know, maybe it'd take more than a year for the marathon. But I think if, let's say, for example, for the next I quit triathlon and was just all in on the marathon.
Morgan Pearson:I'm not saying I would do it, but I think I would have I think I could stand on the, US Olympic trials start line with, like, like, a realistic shot of making the team. I mean but who knows? I I could be really bad at it.
Justin Metzler:Yeah. 4 so we're 4 years out right now until LA. I think that if you get to if you're running even 101, if you get down to 59, you're probably in sub 210 shape for a marathon.
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. I think I think that yeah.
Justin Metzler:That's what's the math? What's the runner math
Morgan Pearson:on that? The thing is, like, I when I do a half marathon, like, when I do a half marathon, my legs are so destroyed. I've done 3 now, and I literally I can't run for, like, 5 days. Wow. So to to, like, to run twice that distance and I've obviously, I do 18 mile long runs and 13 mile it's not the distance, but it's the pace at that speed.
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. My the point is, like, I think the half marathon is kinda like the right now, given my training, to be competitive is the kind of the longest I can go. Sure. Whereas if I stepped to a marathon or, like, some random in between distance, I think I would the drop off would be significant. Sure.
Morgan Pearson:That being said, if I, you know, was really focused on running, I think I think I could definitely break 210. I I I you know, who you never know, but I think so.
Justin Metzler:Yep. Okay. So, you know, you've mentioned top 3 at the trials. That would mean that you make the LA Olympic marathon team. You've also mentioned going for your 3rd Olympic games in triathlon.
Justin Metzler:Are you planning on going for both the trials No. In marathon and triathlon for LA?
Morgan Pearson:I don't think so. If I'm being fully honest, if my if I medaled in Paris in the individual, that was gonna be my plan. Mhmm. But I wasn't, like, I was, like, if I medal, I'm gonna try to make both. Yeah.
Morgan Pearson:And then Taylor and I actually did it, and I'm like, well, it's not even cool anymore.
Justin Metzler:Yeah. Right? Yeah.
Morgan Pearson:So I need to find something else. But, no, I I think I think if I was going for LA if I was if I stay in the sport, I won't I wouldn't do that. I think I still believe I can be consistent. You know, I know I haven't been, but at the the WTS level, I can be consistent with the top guys and, you know, you know, I'd be I'd probably be a bit older. But that being said, I started the sport a bit later, so I think LA maybe maybe, maybe going all in for the triathlon would be the smarter call than trying to, you know, balance 2 things.
Justin Metzler:Yeah. And it's yeah. That's a that's a tough balance. I wanna talk a little bit more about the Olympic Games. Like, how was your build up to Paris, and did you have expectations coming in after winning Yokohama, which is the second to last race before the Olympics?
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. I mean, I did I I expectations is a weird word. I I was in shape, like, I was in shape to do really well. I don't know if that was a medal. I don't know if that was the top 5, top 10, but, I was training really well.
Morgan Pearson:I think there were certain things in my, as an athlete, I was lacking, that I wish I, you know, focused on a little bit more in the years leading into the Olympics. That being said, I don't that's not why I didn't medal, or did that's not why I didn't do well in the individual. I the swim, the river current was really bad. I'm generally swimming top 15 or top 20 around 15th, in the these WTS races. There was a pack of 30 5, maybe even more.
Morgan Pearson:Maybe, like, 38 or yeah. 35. And I, you know, I missed it by, like, 15 seconds, which is a lot. 15 seconds in a short course race. So my swim was just really bad.
Morgan Pearson:It wasn't like I was swimming bad in training or anything. Like, I felt like I was in a great place in training, swimming wise. So, yeah, I mean, the I I didn't prepare for the currents, from a strategic standpoint. I think that was, you know I I remember talking to Flora or not to Flora, but someone who kinda helps Flora out after, and She had, like, an amazing plan. I mean, it showed.
Morgan Pearson:She got out of the water like what?
Justin Metzler:It was, like, 60 seconds ahead of the back or maybe 30 or something.
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. Like, she had an incredible swim. And, like, I assume with Flora, I and I you know, she's not that much better than this next best swimmer. It's just when you have it when it's odd conditions like that, and you have a plan, and it's a good plan, and you like, it's that really helps. And I just didn't do that.
Morgan Pearson:I kinda and I made some really big mistakes, with the currents. And, yeah, I guess I'll live with that.
Justin Metzler:Yeah. Are you taking, like, a 100% personal ownership to that, or does that run it up the chain to USA Triathlon High Performance and say, hey, guys. Like, you guys are all here with me to read these currents. Like Yeah.
Morgan Pearson:What was that like? It's I think it doesn't matter. Like, at the end of the day, it doesn't matter. The Olympics happen, and Yeah. The medals are given out, and you can't go back in time.
Morgan Pearson:But I think, as an individual, I can use it as a lesson for growth of how I'm gonna prepare for races in the future. And I think USA Triathlon should also say, oh, wow. We need to look at these things, these unique circumstances throughout, like and help our athletes. I think it can be a a an area of growth for me as an individual and the federation, and, hopefully, it is.
Justin Metzler:That's a good perspective. Overall, so you had your 1st Olympic Games in Tokyo, which maybe has a bit of an asterisk because it's 2021. It's still COVID. It's just probably a bit of a weird experience. But overall, how is and you had a silver medal at both of them in the mixed relay.
Justin Metzler:Regardless of or irregardless of the race results, how was your general experience comparing Tokyo to Paris?
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. They were really different. I think I think they're it's funny that the village was very similar. So I'll like, I everyone's like, oh, it's completely different. I actually found there was some similarities.
Morgan Pearson:Like, the village was very similar. The, you know, there's a lot of time spent in buses getting to the pool or getting to our, like, little training center or whatever, you know, cafeteria. So there was actually a lot of similarities. I would say the bigger difference was, you know, after I finished racing and just I stayed, because I think the relay was a Monday, and I stayed a whole extra week. And my family, Molly, my girlfriend was out there.
Morgan Pearson:My, one of my best friends from high school was, you know, they I don't think all of them stay till that next Monday, but just being able to experience the Olympics. And, yeah, that was that was pretty cool. So, yeah, that was that was definitely the biggest difference was after I was done racing. Sure.
Justin Metzler:What was the night after the individual what did the night after the individual race look like compared to the night after the mixed relay?
Morgan Pearson:Like, not to get into any details to, like, throw anyone on the bus, but we had to do some, like, we had to go to some sort of dinner for, US Foundation or something. I don't remember exactly. After the individual. And I was it was just a long day. I mean, you're off really early, for the race.
Morgan Pearson:You don't you like, most people aren't, like, swimming super well the night before the Olympics. I did my race, and I didn't I just, like I remember getting on this bus to go back to the village, and it was, like, really hot. Like, it was full of people, and I just, like, I was just honestly, I was crying because I was so upset with myself. And I just I was texting my girlfriend, and she's like, oh, I'm, like, outside the, like, the stands or whatever. And, like, the bus is, like, pulling out, and I just, like, I just, like, get I, like, go to the bus driver.
Morgan Pearson:I'm, like, let me off. And I get out, and I go find her, and, like, I probably sat there for, like, an hour, maybe more. Eventually, my friend, Adam, like, meets up with us, and we go get lunch. And, like, just it was actually, like, there's something nice about it. I mean, I was still really upset, but there was something nice about it.
Morgan Pearson:But that night was, like, I never went back to the village. I was I never showered or, like, got changed. So I go to this, like, this event, and, like, I'm, like, gross and sweaty. And I'm just, like, in an awful mood, and, like, they, like, they say they're gonna give us dinner, and they don't. And, like and then, everyone's in a bad mood.
Morgan Pearson:It was just it was kind of, like, a, for lack of a better term, a shit show.
Justin Metzler:Yeah.
Morgan Pearson:The night after the relay was I think we actually had to do something similar, and it was a similar vibe of, like, they they said there's gonna be dinner, and there really wasn't that much food. I think it's more of a French thing than anything. But I think everyone was just a lot I was just, like, so much you know, I think the the metal itself was great, but also just, like, you just let off all that steam, and it's just that, like, there's just that release, the release valve. And I was just, like, I was just able to, like, goof around and, you know, make fun of the situation a little bit more and make fun of myself. And I think I, like, ordered, like, a bunch of because I think I just, like, order I was like, I'm gonna order a bunch of pizzas and, like, just to, like, prove a point that they didn't give us dinner again.
Morgan Pearson:And, like but then all of a sudden, like, everyone's crowding around me, eating the pizzas. And, yeah. It was it was a lot more fun. I forget, I mean, I think we just, like, went back to my, my mom's apartment in par like, her Airbnb, whatever. And, I think we, like, watched the relay, but we were I mean, everyone was so tired.
Morgan Pearson:Like, we were up so early. Sure. Because the relay was, like, at 8 AM, so we were up at, like, 4. And, Yeah. I think everyone was just destroyed.
Morgan Pearson:Like, it's not like we raged or something. Yeah.
Justin Metzler:Yeah. Yeah. No. It's cool. It's interesting.
Justin Metzler:It's a interesting comparison.
Morgan Pearson:Yeah.
Justin Metzler:I want to talk a little bit about social media and your presence on social media. Yeah. Some of the things that you're famous for. So you're an active poster, active engager. You've engaged in some of my content, over the years.
Justin Metzler:You're well known and probably most well known for popular popularizing your zone 2 training. Why is that, like, stuck with you, and why do you keep hammering a hole in the zone 2?
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. Well, to just so the whole, like, posting a lot thing to kinda touch on that. So, like, about a year ago, my season ended kinda early, and I was just like, I have some sponsors, and it's just like you stop racing, and then all of a sudden, you're just like, why, like, why do they even wanna sponsor me? Like, what am I doing for them? So I just kinda had this realization that, like, I you know, this is the least I can do.
Morgan Pearson:You know, they're literally, like, paying me to, like, do what I would do without them paying me. Sure. Yeah. I mean, obviously, I'm I mean, maybe I wouldn't be using their gear or whatever. But it's just like it's like I think it's like a realization of, like, how lucky you are.
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. And I was like, I just kinda wanted to partially, I wanna give back to my sponsors. I think there was also part of me that was like, I do wanna give back to the sport and not just, triathlon, but, like, specifically short course. Because I feel like, you know, triathletes in, like, some other communities, maybe the you know? And another reason why I might jump in some of these run races is, like, I think it's good for, you know, a traffic to go to a run race and do well, because it shows, like, the level we're at.
Morgan Pearson:Totally. And I think it shows so I kinda like, oh, let me show off someone, like, training and, like, show, like, it's really serious, and we are really you know, the top guys are really, you know, really good athletes. Like, I think, you know, it's really impressive what some of these guys do. And I'm not talking about myself. Like, you know, it's just like seeing some of these guys training or and, like, seeing them in a race.
Morgan Pearson:It's it's really impressive, and I think it's okay to not wanna share that. And if that's not you, like, that's fine. But I think, you know, as I've gotten a little older and, you know, it's just like, I wanna I wanna show the world that, like, short course triathlon is, like, super serious, and, you know, I can do it in a funny way and make fun of myself along the way, but it's not, it's not just, like, guys that aren't that good at running or swimming or biking. And then the zone 2 thing yeah, man. I don't know.
Morgan Pearson:I it's just, like, when I started doing that, I made a zone 2 thing, and it was like I think I was, like, 2 hours at zone 2, like, 250 watts or, I don't know, 260 watts, which is like a workout that my coach gave me. And it just popped off. And, like and then and I think then I did a running one, and it went crazy and even more. So I started, you know, I started making little trolls and stuff, specific. One specific was on April fools.
Morgan Pearson:I was like, my favorite work my because people do double threshold now in running. And I was like, I did double zone 2 long.
Justin Metzler:What? Like, 20 in the morning?
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. 20 in the morning, 16 at night, all at, like, sub 6 phase. Just any it was April 1st. So, like, if you thought about it, it was obviously a joke. But, yeah, just people just love I don't know why it's
Justin Metzler:just There's gotta be some, like, nuance trolling in there, though, because, like, I'll see you posting, like, oh, 16 mile zone 2, 5:37 pace. Is that real, or is that, like, is that taking the piss?
Morgan Pearson:I mean, it's I've done that. Like, I'll do that in training. And, like, maybe calling it zone like, so if I do a if I do that run, like, it's not 5:30 like, I might run the last I might run the first 10 miles at, like, 550, which I would say for me is zone 2, and then, like, really pick it up, like, the last 6. So maybe it's not like you yeah. Maybe not every mile of it is zone 2, but, like, I don't know.
Morgan Pearson:I I I did that run, and, like, I'm just gonna call it a zone 2. Like, it's not I feel like people think I put more thought into it than I actually do. But, yeah, I mean, it's I think it's cool. Like, I, the in the grand final, for for us, what, 3 weeks ago now, you know, there's 8 group world champs too for Olympic and spring distance, and I guess they even have a relay too. And, like, a lot of people are just like, don't do, like, on a course.
Morgan Pearson:So it's it's cool. Like, I I I you know, it's it's cool for me to, like, hear that. Yeah. For sure.
Justin Metzler:And before zone 2, you were, popularized for your rules.
Morgan Pearson:Twitter rules. Rules. How did
Justin Metzler:the rules come about? And are the rules still going? Are you are you all into zone 2 now? Like, where are the rules at?
Morgan Pearson:The rule I mean, the rules are ongoing, man. Like, I don't think I've had one in a while, and part of that is I don't have Twitter on my phone
Justin Metzler:right now.
Morgan Pearson:I think, so I think I just it like, that was more of a Twitter thing.
Justin Metzler:You gotta get the rules going again. And the the rules popped off.
Morgan Pearson:I feel like there was a time when I was just, like I would think, like, they would just be they would just come to me. Maybe it's, like, when you're thinking about it more. Yeah. But I I don't know. They, like, don't come to me anymore.
Morgan Pearson:I think there's a I wanna I wanna I do wanna get to the point where there's a 100 rules. And I we're, like, at, like, 80 or something. So, yeah. I should probably I should bring that back.
Justin Metzler:What's your favorite rule? And what number is it?
Morgan Pearson:Well, we did the we made a shirt, and it said I think it's 7. Make your normal life a training camp. Perfect. And I, you know, I it's I like that rule. I I like I definitely I think there's some truth to it if you're trying to be, I
Justin Metzler:like the overtrain until it's not overtraining anymore. That's my favorite. Yeah.
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. I think that one's I think there's some truth to that one too. Yeah. For sure. Coaches probably don't wanna hear that.
Morgan Pearson:But,
Justin Metzler:It's just a word choice, but it is, like, there's truth into it. You know? Yeah. Alright. Final one is, this is, like, only for those deep social media followers like me.
Morgan Pearson:Uh-uh.
Justin Metzler:You love to comment on photos that don't have photo credit with who took the photo. Why do you get so stuck up about the photo credit?
Morgan Pearson:Well, I to be honest, I'm just a bit
Justin Metzler:of a
Morgan Pearson:troll, and, I just it's just a funny way to troll. I there's really not like I said, I don't put there's not much thought to it other than, like, I just I guess part of it is, like, I think it's so funny how people, like like, if it's a protect professional photographer at a race and you wanna give them photo credit, like, I completely understand that. But if you're just, like, with your family and some you know, someone grabs a picture, it's your friend at on your iPhone at a wedding, it's like, do you really need to give them photo credit? Like, it's kinda silly.
Justin Metzler:Like photo credit mom.
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. So, like, I think it's part of it is that, like, let's you know, we don't need to, like, always give photo credit. But and then, of course, I'm saying who took it. But I don't know. It's just, it's just not I don't know.
Morgan Pearson:It's funny to me. It makes me laugh. If it doesn't make you laugh, which it probably doesn't, that's fine too.
Justin Metzler:It makes me laugh. I love seeing trolling people on there, so keep doing it just even for its, for my sake and Oh,
Morgan Pearson:yeah. I mean, I wasn't planning on stopping. So Alright.
Justin Metzler:Cool. Maybe I'll try and contribute with a rule, a rule of thought
Morgan Pearson:in the
Justin Metzler:next next couple months. Alright. Cool. I don't I wanna I have one more topic here that I wanna hit before we we wrap up. What does 2025 look like?
Justin Metzler:I know you're racing your first well, not first, but, your first Ironman 70 point 3 coming up at Indian Wells. Like, what does the end of this year look like? What does next year look like? And I guess what does the build up to LA look like?
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. So to answer the LA question, I don't I don't know. I'm I'm kinda taking it your like, I'm more taking it, living in the present. I know that's kind of cliche and all that, but I think, after Tokyo, I was so obsessed with Paris. And I think it was not I think it's more for me, where I'm at in my career, I think it is more freeing and, positive to not just have that is one major goal of LA.
Morgan Pearson:So, I mean, I don't know if I'll be there. I don't you know, who knows? But when it looks at next year, I I'm my main goal is just, like, again, cliche, but just really to improve, as an athlete and just, I think also is just improve and, like, enjoy it. And, you know, part of that, like you mentioned, I'm doing the the half Ironman next month, which I think will be, I don't expect much out of myself. I think it'll be I think it'll be really hard.
Morgan Pearson:Like, I've I've only had the bike for a week now, and, you know, who knows how yeah. I think I think I could do well. I think I could fail miserably. We'll see. But that's partially why I'm doing it, kind of like an exploration.
Morgan Pearson:And, I mean, hopefully, I hopefully, at least I don't hate it. And I would love to do, you know, some some more 70 point threes next year that might complement, a short course year. I mean, the the nice thing about those races compared to the short course is there's more in the US. Yeah. I know we talked about, you know, the travel to China and, Abu Dhabi.
Morgan Pearson:Like, there's one in Oceanside. There's one in Boulder. There's, you know, these races that are not, you know, 1,000 and 1,000 of dollars to go to. So, yeah, I would love to do that. I'd even love to keep doing some running races.
Morgan Pearson:But and I I'm I actually would love to do Super League. I've only done 1, and I it's always just, like, it's always just kinda hard, like, between my injury like, between the Olympics and being getting hurt and COVID. It's just like it I feel like I should have done it more by now. I did one, but I it just kinda, like, never really worked out. So I'd hopefully hopefully, I can get on a few Super League start list next year Yeah.
Morgan Pearson:If not the whole series. So, yeah, I think next year is just about growth, as an athlete, not putting too much pressure on myself, you know, just trying to be more consistent, in racing and, you know, be healthy, and just, like, enjoy it. I mean, I don't know how much, you know like, I think if I do LA or not, I think I'm probably probably finished after that. So it's, like, it's not that much more time to do it, so I I better enjoy it.
Justin Metzler:Yep. What do you think you can run-in Indian Wells in the 70.3?
Morgan Pearson:Oh, that's a great question. I think it's a slow It's
Justin Metzler:like I did it last year. It's pretty cross country. You'll love it. It's it's there's probably It's like
Morgan Pearson:a golf course. Right?
Justin Metzler:It's a golf course, but the golf course section isn't that long. It's probably only about 4 miles total of golf course, and it's, like, half path, half grass. Yeah. And it's pretty lumpy. It's it's steep, short punchers.
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. So my girlfriend's a great runner, and she's running 69, 52 and a half, which is, like, for a woman, really fast.
Justin Metzler:Yeah.
Morgan Pearson:But, that's my goal to beat her beat her open half.
Justin Metzler:You just ran 101. Certainly, you
Morgan Pearson:got a 105 in you. A 105. Listen. That bike, if I can make it to the bike and be, like, not like like, you said, oh, it's not your first long course race. I did Daytona in 2020, and I was like, I couldn't walk for, like, 3 weeks because my legs were so messed up.
Morgan Pearson:And I didn't even finish the bike, let alone the run. Alright. So I'm I I am not putting pressure on myself. I yes. 65, I would love to do that, but I I just wanna have a positive experience.
Justin Metzler:Yeah. Yeah. That's a good that's a good goal for the first 70.3. Alright. Before we wrap up the podcast here, I know you gotta get out of here.
Justin Metzler:I've got 6 rapid fire questions. You ready?
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. Yeah. Favorite John
Justin Metzler:Mayer song? Favorite
Morgan Pearson:John Mayer song? Why Georgia?
Justin Metzler:Good one. You're John Mayer guy.
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. Yeah.
Justin Metzler:Yeah. Me too. It's my first concert ever. Really? Yeah.
Morgan Pearson:He was he was he wasn't my first, but he was one of them. Yeah.
Justin Metzler:Shout out John Mayer. Alright. What is the most recent thing you've Googled?
Morgan Pearson:Oh, so, we just I'm trying to move my treadmill into the basement, so I'm trying to find someone who can, like, take it apart. And yeah. Was that the electrician? Yeah. They're putting,
Justin Metzler:You need, like, the special plug? Yes.
Morgan Pearson:So they're doing that in the basement, and now we gotta get the treadmill down there.
Justin Metzler:Yeah. I got a guy for that.
Morgan Pearson:Unless you got That can move the treadmill?
Justin Metzler:Yes. And a electrician who can install the plug.
Morgan Pearson:Well, definitely the guy that can move it. Okay. Because we just we have the plug guy. Yeah.
Justin Metzler:I got a guy. What is your favorite rule? I asked you that already. And what number it is? That was number 7.
Justin Metzler:Correct?
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. Yeah.
Justin Metzler:Alright. Cool. And then what's the shortest and longest run you've logged as a real run?
Morgan Pearson:I would say the shortest the longest I've ever run is 20. I did 20 mile long run-in college once. The shortest, 4 k.
Justin Metzler:K.
Morgan Pearson:I think anything other than 4 k, stay home.
Justin Metzler:Yep. I'm with you. I had a coach once who was giving me consistent 15 minute runs. So that was like
Morgan Pearson:That's like a
Justin Metzler:like 3 k.
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. Yeah. I mean, for some people, maybe. But for me, 4 k.
Justin Metzler:Yeah. No. I'm with you. This is a audience question. What is a lazy man meal?
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. So my I don't when I was, like, right at college, like, I'd make these dinners, and they were just, like, meat, like, a protein, a veggie, and, carb. And it's, like, how, like, how quick you can make it. So, like, like, you might, like, bake chicken, do, like, steamed veggies, and, like, microwave rice, and it, like, you know, it takes, like, no effort, and it's a lazy man. So, like, that's kinda like a healthy meal that's minimal, minimal effort.
Morgan Pearson:And, yeah.
Justin Metzler:No cleanup. Easy. Yeah.
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. Exactly. Lazy.
Justin Metzler:Alright. What is the who is the most talented runner, triathlete, or cyclist residing in Boulder right now and why?
Morgan Pearson:Oh, probably Neguse. Actually, no. Helen. Helen O'Bire.
Justin Metzler:I thought I thought Helen for sure.
Morgan Pearson:I did some training with her and, like, you know, 61. Okay. I'm not, like, as fast as the best guys, but, like, she she's a freak, man. Or yeah. Maybe Taylor Knibb.
Morgan Pearson:Those those 2 girls are, like they're the freaks. 100%. 100%.
Justin Metzler:Alright. Well, that's all the rapid fire I got for today. Morgan, thank you very much
Morgan Pearson:for coming
Justin Metzler:on the podcast. It was fun, man.
Morgan Pearson:Yeah. Thanks, man. Appreciate it. Alright. Of course.
Morgan Pearson:Peace.
