Below is an edited transcript of our podcast interview with Keira D’Amato -American record setter in the marathon and half marathon. Keira dishes out hard-earned wisdom and talks about writing her new book Don’t Call it a Comeback.
Why “Don’t Call It a Comeback”?
Angie: I’m curious why you chose that title for your book.
Keira: Great question. The original placeholder title was Chasing Happiness, which sums up the book’s theme—it’s not about returning to who I was but finding my truest, happiest self. That title felt flat, though; it didn’t have my personality. My publisher, Sarah Cannon, suggested Don’t Call It a Comeback. I was like, “But Sarah, it’s not a comeback!” She said, “Exactly.” It’s gold because it’s literally saying, don’t call it that. In the prologue, I explain this isn’t about returning to the old Keira but finding a new, different version of myself, leveling up, and doing things I never thought possible.
Angie: That’s so important. Trying to get back to a past version of ourselves can be limiting, setting us up for disappointment or we may even aim too low. We’re never the same person again, and growth means becoming a better version, right?
Keira: Exactly. I’m constantly evolving, learning more. If I went back to the Keira in her 20s, that was the best I could do then, but I’ve grown. This isn’t a comeback story—it’s an underdog story about prioritizing happiness, chasing exciting goals, and tackling unfinished business without fearing failure.
Running in a Gorilla Costume
Trevor: The book is beautifully written, and your love for fun, jokes, and puns shines through. I didn’t realize you were such a jokester! People who follow you on Strava probably know this, but for those new to your story, it’s a fun read.
Keira: Thanks! Strava shows my silly side with dad jokes, but the book dives deeper into my impulsive, weird antics. Like when my coach said, “Wear the warmest thing you have tomorrow,” and I showed up in a gorilla costume. I got there early to hide and scare people, but my coach was like, “This makes no sense—it’s heavy, not breathable!” I had to run the whole workout in it. Never wore it again.
Missoula Marathon Memories
Trevor: Reading about the 2013 Missoula Marathon, where your husband was a sub-2:30 runner and you just wanted to finish without walking, was striking. You were aiming to qualify for Boston, right?
Keira: Yeah, my Boston qualifier was 3:35 then. It went miserably. I learned the hard way to respect the marathon and train properly. I got to mile 16, my legs cramped, my body gave up, and I ran-walked the last 10 miles. It was tough, but I was proud to finish. The Missoula Marathon later posted a video of me crossing that finish line after I broke the American record, celebrating the same way—consistent, even in tough moments.
Angie: That’s relatable. Your story isn’t the typical high school, college, pro runner trajectory. You put running aside, focused on family and a career, then rediscovered it with joy. That inspires people to think it’s not too late to try something new.
Keira: We all have something we loved but put on the back burner—unfinished business. I got lucky with a second chance to see what could happen, unlike Napoleon Dynamite’s uncle, stuck thinking his great days are behind him. We can’t go back to high school, but we can bring passions back differently as parents or older runners.
Rediscovering Running
Trevor: In round two of your running life, you started for fun and stress relief, not with elite goals, right?
Keira: Right. After having two kids, I started running again in 2016 for mental and physical wellness, not speed. A month before my daughter was born, a friend asked if I’d really run again. I said no way. But running for community and to escape toddler chaos opened my world. As confidence grew, so did my goals.
Saying Yes to Joy
Angie: I love how you say yes to opportunities that spark joy. For cautious people, how do you pursue things that scare you?
Keira: I’m impulsive and struggle to say no, but I’m also not afraid to fail. Most races I do are subpar, and I know how to laugh at mistakes and move forward. If an opportunity fits my values and sparks joy, I say yes, knowing I can handle failure. Accepting that most experiences are average lets you learn and grow. Loving the journey makes it easier to say yes, even if the outcome’s uncertain.
Trevor: That mindset—loving life and not taking yourself too seriously—seems like a secret weapon.
Keira: Totally. Smiling through hard moments or finding joy in the mundane helps. Training takes time and energy, and some days you don’t want to go out in the rain, but that self-motivation to see what happens is key. I haven’t run an ultra, but with enough screws loose, I think I’d be okay!
Embracing the Hard Days
Anie: Even pursuing joy, not every moment is fun. How do you embrace the hard parts?
Keira: Celebrate working through them. Earlier this year, I had subpar workouts but showed up despite not wanting to. That’s a win. Your body remembers pushing through, even at 80%. Those days are harder than the easy ones, so give yourself credit.
Strategic Quitting
Angie: Your chapter on DNFing the 2024 Women’s Marathon Olympic Trials was thought-provoking. We’re told “never quit,” but you talk about strategic quitting. Can you elaborate?
Keira: We’re raised to never quit, and I tell my kids to finish what they start, like a soccer season. But quitting running in my 20s after an injury and surgery taught me it’s okay when something’s not serving you. It was negative then, so I stepped away. Later, I quit my business when it became too much. At the trials, I had heat stroke symptoms—seeing stars, overheating, then freezing. I could’ve finished but risked hospitalization. It was my journey, not Team USA’s, so I stepped off to avoid damage. Sometimes quitting is the best option if it’s negative or harmful.
Moving to Park City
Angie: Your move to Park City, Utah, sounds like a big adventure. What led to that?
Keira: After the trials, I wondered what training at altitude with a team and new coach would be like. It felt like a grand family adventure. The kids loved it during a training block for Chicago and wanted to stay. They’ve been resilient, adjusting as new kids at school. My son, who was reserved in Richmond, decided to be more outgoing here, organizing games at recess. I’m fitter than ever, training with Coach Ed Eyestone and runners like Connor Mance and Clayton Young. It’s inspiring, though I don’t know if it’ll mean faster times or just a great story.
Team Mom with UCAN
Trevor: You work with UCAN, a podcast sponsor. You’re like the team mom, sharing gels.
Keira: Yeah, I’m the gel mom! I carry extra for the team. UCAN sent a huge box of products to share, which was sweet. Their gels give sustainable energy without spikes or crashes, perfect for my sugar sensitivity.
The Writing Process
Trevor: The book is so well-written. What was the writing process like with Evelyn Spence?
Keira: We outlined it to feel conversational, like Ted Lasso—about running but relatable to any passion. Evelyn spent a weekend in Richmond listening to me talk, even biking alongside my 20-mile run. We met two or three times weekly, discussing chapters. She’d draft, I’d review, saying, “You nailed it” or “This isn’t what I meant.” We added details, like a radio contest story. She harnessed my chaotic stories into something readable, keeping my voice like a long-run chat.
They insisted I read the audiobook for authenticity, despite my protests. It was fun, though I struggled with words like “especially” and “dachshund”—I called it “wiener dog” after 100 tries.
Book Release and Where to Find Keira
Trevor: The audiobook and physical book come out the same day, right?
Keira: Yep, September 9. Pre-order at local bookstores, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble. Pre-orders help with first-week sales for bestseller lists, so I’m grateful for the support.
Trevor: Where can people follow you?
Keira: Instagram and Strava at Keira D’Amato. Strava has more lame jokes, so Instagram might be safer if you’re not into those.
Key Takeaways for Runners
- Reframe your running journey as growth, not a comeback.
- Respect the marathon and train properly.
- Celebrate every finish, no matter the outcome.
- Embrace strategic quitting to protect your long-term goals.
- Find joy in the process to stay motivated.
- Say yes to opportunities that spark joy, even if scary.
- Celebrate small wins on tough days.
- Build a supportive running community.
- Experiment with new training environments.
Listen to the podcast interview here.
About Keira D’Amato
After running in high school Keira attended American University and gained all-American honors as well as a degree in mathematics and computer science. Post-college she planned to run competitively but was sidelined with an ankle injury that required surgery and she decided to step away from running. After having two children she started running again to get fit and have time for herself and eventually got the running and marathon bug again. In 2022 Keira broke Deena Kastor’s American record in the marathon with a time of 2:19:12, and also set an American half marathon record in 2023 with a time of 1:06:39. She currently holds the American 10 mile record with a time of 51:23. She lives and trains in Park City, UT, coached by Ed Eyestone.
About the Marathon Training Academy
Founded in 2010 by husband/wife duo Trevor and Angie Spencer, Marathon Training Academy empowers runners through expert training plans, personalized coaching, and Academy Membership.
