The 2025 track season was a notable one for the U.S. Olympian and middle-distance runner Shelby Houlihan. The 32-year-old returned to competition after serving a four-year ban stemming from a positive test for the anabolic steroid nandrolone in 2020, a finding she has consistently disputed, saying it resulted from the consumption of a tainted pork burrito.
Shelby Houlihan Plans Fresh Approach in 2026 After Emotionally Draining Comeback
In her comeback season, she qualified for major global competitions, including the World Athletics Outdoor and Indoor Championships, narrowly missing the podium outdoors while earning a silver medal indoors.
Calling the 2025 season her “revenge tour” in an Instagram post, Houlihan described her return to elite competition after several years away as physically draining, saying it felt like racing with “four years of rust” on her body.
She also acknowledged the mental challenges that accompanied her comeback, including fluctuating motivation and moments of doubt about whether she still belonged in the sport, alongside a sense of having lost the joy and team environment she once cherished.
“As I reflect on this year though, it was a roller coaster for me. Transparently, it was really challenging to come back, both physically and mentally. Racing felt like it took so much out of me every time and I struggled trying to consistently feel good all year…It felt like I was racing with 4 years of rust on my body that I was slowly trying to chip away at each time. It was a bit exhausting to manage,” she said on her return.
Houlihan added that her motivation varied throughout the season as she wrote: “There were times where I had fire and drive and other times where I contemplated leaving the sport altogether. I felt loved, inspired, and supported. I also felt alone, unwanted, and like I didn’t belong anymore.”
The multiple-time national champion said she plans to take a different approach in 2026, with a renewed focus on rediscovering joy in running, exploring new experiences and rebuilding a training environment that feels both fun and supportive.
Houlihan Reveals Why She Chose to Race at USATF Cross Country Championships
Houlihan made an unexpected appearance at the USATF Cross Country Championships in 2025 to close out her season. When asked about her decision to compete, she said she viewed the event as an opportunity to step outside her routine and try something new.
Reflecting on her participation, Houlihan said during an interview with Letsrundotcom, “I just kind of wanted to mix it up and do something fun. It was a chance to make a world team and I knew I wasn’t in like the best spot coming in, but I was hoping that maybe I could tough something out and get top six. I didn’t really have any expectations coming into this.”
However, the course quickly proved challenging once the race began. Houlihan admitted the conditions played a major role, turning the race into a grind as she struggled to find any rhythm. She finished 20th in the race, clocking a time of 35:35.
