TrackGirlz is proud to feature inspiring members of our team en route to the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. Over the coming months, we’ll share stories, training insights, and the motivation behind these incredible runners as they prepare to tackle 26.2 miles through the city’s five boroughs. First up: Maddie Alm’s remarkable journey from collegiate walk-on to elite marathoner and nutrition expert.
Maddie Alm’s journey into running didn’t start with dreams of national championships or Olympic Trials. In fact, it began as a way to stay in shape for soccer. A multi-sport athlete growing up in Boulder, Colorado, Maddie initially laced up her running shoes in high school to support her primary sport – but soon discovered that running offered something she hadn’t found elsewhere: a sense of control over her success.
“I wasn’t making the varsity soccer team, and it was frustrating,” she says. “But with running, I realized if I put in the work and ran the times, I got to decide my future – not a panel of coaches.” That spark lit a fire that would eventually lead her to walk onto the DI track and field team at the University of Colorado, where she transformed from one of the slowest athletes on the team to an NCAA All-American. “I knew I needed to think long term. With consistency, hard work, and a positive attitude, I was able to work my way up from being one of the slowest on the team to being one of the fastest.”
But the path wasn’t linear. In her fourth year of college, Maddie narrowly missed qualifying for NCAA nationals – falling just short of her long-standing goal. When she was offered a fifth year of eligibility, she was ready to double down – until a stress fracture derailed her plans. “I couldn’t run at all that summer, but I cross-trained like crazy, dialed in my fueling, prioritized sleep, and stayed focused,” she says. “It taught me so much about staying grounded in the big picture.” That patience paid off – Maddie came back stronger and finally punched her ticket to NCAA Championships, fulfilling her dream of becoming an All-American. “Even if things don’t go the way you planned, if you stay focused and think big picture, you’ll find other ways to achieve your goals.”
That milestone wasn’t just a personal victory – it shaped her future. Inspired by how nutrition played a critical role in her performance and recovery, Maddie pursued a career in sports nutrition. Today, she’s a registered dietitian and the founder of Fueling Forward, a coaching business that helps endurance athletes fuel for both health and performance. “I’ve seen firsthand what a difference proper fueling makes,” she says. “Now, I get to help others unlock that same potential.”
Maddie went on to compete at the professional level for eight years, racing at five U.S. Championships and qualifying for the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials. But in 2025, she’s tackling a new challenge: the TCS New York City Marathon – and doing it as part of the TrackGirlz team.
Her goal? “My A goal is to run sub-3 hours. My B goal is to feel good and have fun out there.” She’s currently logging 40 miles a week with one quality session and one long run, while also lifting heavy twice per week and mixing in weekly Pilates for mobility and injury prevention. And of course, as a dietitian, Maddie’s training includes a rock-solid fueling strategy: 40 grams of carbs per hour on long runs, usually in the form of gels, electrolyte drinks, or even gummy bears and applesauce. “It’s all about practicing what I plan to do on race day,” she says. “That way, I can avoid bonking and recover faster.” She adds with a smile, “Sometimes it’s about mixing in what tastes good so you don’t dread fueling – that’s a key to consistency.”
As both an athlete and nutrition expert, Maddie’s perspective on female health in sport is deeply informed – and deeply personal. “There’s still so much pressure on women to look a certain way. People think it’s okay to comment on our bodies or what we eat, and that can take a real toll,” she says. “There’s a big misconception that being smaller makes you faster, but it’s just not true. What I’ve learned – and what I now teach – is that fueled is always faster. That’s the mindset I live by.” She emphasizes, “You only get one body. How you treat it and take care of it now will determine what you’re able to get out of the sport.”
It’s a message she hopes to pass on to the next generation of TrackGirlz. “Take care of it, be patient with it, and don’t rush the process,” she says. “When I was in high school, I never would have believed I’d make it to the Olympic Trials. But I think part of why I did was because I didn’t take shortcuts—I let my body adapt and grow. If you work hard, stay consistent, and fuel well, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.”
Now living in Los Angeles with her husband Nick and their bernedoodle Charley, Maddie is ready to take on 26.2 miles through the five boroughs – backed by the TrackGirlz sisterhood and powered by purpose. She is living proof that the long road is worth it—and she’s not done running yet.
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