Season 6, Episode 13: A conversation with ex-Wartburg College and marathon standout Erin Moeller

Erin comes on the podcast just days after her daughter, Evelyn, committed to run for Iowa State in the fall of 2027. Erin remembers the time when Evelyn, her middle child, had to choose between volleyball and cross country and a breakout race to remember her sophomore season. Erin talks about the motivation that drives Evelyn and why she stopped her from competing in her first half marathon. The three-time Iowa Conference champion for Wartburg tells of the great support from the Mount Vernon community. She remembers a memorable visit with Iowa State's coaches and why the Cyclones won out in a fierce recruiting battle. Erin chats about the difficult path for her youngest son, Kellyn, after he was born with spina bifida and his new athletic pursuit. She also tells of oldest son Ryne's influence on his siblings and what could be next for the Iowa State senior. Erin goes back to remember training with fellow Wartburg Robyn Friedman for the first time in Oregon and before the 2008 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. She recounts that memorable race and how it wasn't going well ... until it did. Erin tells of a surprise guest waiting for her in the finish chute at those trials in Boston. She reluctantly talks about an injury that derailed her 2012 Trials marathon when she was in the best shape of her life. Erin also looks back at the "rock star" Wartburg teammate who has been honored with her name on a facility for the college's cross country teams in Waverly. She also talks about Evelyn's epic finish in the Class 3A 800 final when she ran down a Mount Pleasant runner to claim the title by .01 of a second and help hand Mount Vernon a state team championship.