The Marathon Podcast

The Marathon Podcast is now proudly sponsored by Saysky Copenhagen. Use code TMP15 for 15% off at saysky.com.Get 20% off a Strava annual subscription with code KRISTIANSave on FlexBeam using code WARWICKRUNS or this link: https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/55GAPbKristian sits down with Greg Schaefer, a 20 time Ironman finisher, former college basketball player, and Kona qualifier who was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson's at 48 and has no intention of being defined by it.Greg takes us from his first Ironman in Nice to the Kona race where his body started "whispering before it screams," through the phone call on a family vacation that gave him his diagnosis, and the strange sense of relief that came with finally having answers. He talks openly about medication, balancing advocacy with not wanting Parkinson's to be his whole identity, and how he fought his way back to training. We also get into running the Boston Marathon as an adaptive athlete two years in a row, including a first ever negative split on a sore Achilles, and what he's looking forward to at Kona this year.In this episode:- Racing Ironman Nice while recovering from surgery- From college basketball to 20 Ironman finishes- The Kona race where his body started sending warning signs- The phone call that brought his Young Onset Parkinson's diagnosis- Why he felt a sense of relief, and what the disease actually is- Not wanting to be defined by Parkinson's- Getting back to training and racing after diagnosis- Running Boston twice as an adaptive athlete- Raising over $100,000 for the Ironman Foundation- Why Kona is the Super Bowl of the sportContent note: this episode includes an open discussion of a serious medical diagnosis and living with a neurological disease. Please take care while listening.Timestamps00:00 Welcome and why this conversation stayed with Kristian01:26 Kristian's own training update11:08 A quick word on Saysky and the TMP15 code11:59 Welcome to Greg12:26 Racing Ironman Nice after hernia surgery and a torn ankle16:19 Greg's introduction: 21 Ironmans, business, and family18:44 Letting go of the basketball dream29:15 How he got into Ironman36:10 How his perspective changed over time37:24 Kona 2019 and the first signs something was off40:03 Kona: the race where his body "whispered"42:33 The phone call: diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson's43:35 Feeling relieved as everything finally made sense44:45 What Young Onset Parkinson's actually is49:24 Medication and its trade offs52:14 Not wanting to be defined by the disease54:37 Getting back to training after the diagnosis58:17 Running the Boston Marathon as an adaptive athlete1:00:27 Qualifying with a downhill marathon in Vegas1:02:23 Boston again: a negative split on a sore Achilles1:16:48 Kristian's first Ironman and what Kona is really like1:20:49 Kona, the Super Bowl of the sport1:22:35 Raising over $100,000 for the Ironman Foundation1:23:04 Closing thoughts and good luck at KonaGreg's website: https://gregoryschaefer.comStart your free Musicbed trial: https://fm.pxf.io/kristianwarwickFull episodes + the Boston 2025 documentary: https://www.youtube.com/@WarwickrunsFollow my training journey on Instagram: @warwick.runsMusic from Musicbed: MB01XPYH8ZYENVAMB0133EV2TCQFZY

The Marathon Podcast is now proudly sponsored by Saysky Copenhagen. Use code TMP15 for 15% off at saysky.com.Get 20% off a Strava annual subscription with code KRISTIANSave on FlexBeam using code WARWICKRUNS or this link: https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/55GAPbKristian brings you a bonus episode just hours after recording, sitting down with Charlie Sweeney, who became the fastest American in Berlin Marathon history with a 2:09:33, for a conversation Kristian says he's never been more excited to share.Charlie walks through his path from a disappointing Olympic Trials experience, where he arrived under fueled and banged up after failing to properly recover from the high of qualifying, to nearly stepping away from the sport entirely. He opens up candidly about the period that followed, working a normal job and running just a few easy miles a day, and how pacing his now partner Elise's workouts reignited his love for running and eventually led him back to racing marathons. The conversation covers his current training with coach David Roche, peaking around 150 miles a week, the uphill treadmill sessions that have become central to his build, and his approach to simulating race effort using a treadmill grade calculator.In this episode:- Becoming the fastest American in Berlin Marathon history- A difficult Olympic Trials experience and the fallout that followed- Nearly stepping away from running altogether- How pacing his now partner Elise's workouts brought him back- Returning to the marathon and rediscovering the love of the sport- Training under coach David Roche and peaking at 150 miles a week- The uphill treadmill sessions behind his breakthrough- Using a treadmill grade calculator to simulate race effort- Balancing elite training with a full time job at Coros- What comes next as he looks to keep improving into his thirtiesTimestamps00:00 A preview: what a good day on the track looks like now00:18 Welcome and introducing Charlie Sweeney02:02 Kristian's own training update04:23 Announcing the podcast's sponsorship with Saysky Copenhagen05:16 Welcome to Charlie and why this episode means so much11:38 Charlie's background and his job at Coros20:55 Working at a running brand that takes hiring seriously21:17 The Coros and treadmill integration, explained45:24 Introducing Elise and her role in his coaching46:42 Qualifying for the Olympic Trials on the first attempt48:13 Riding the high of qualifying, then crashing afterward50:01 A difficult Olympic Trials experience50:36 Finding a new coach and stepping away from running51:48 Pacing Elise's workouts and falling back in love with the sport52:00 Deciding to return to the marathon53:13 Training under coach David Roche and peaking at 150 miles a week2:11:20 Building toward three races in one block, including Berlin2:13:17 The uphill treadmill sessions behind his training2:17:33 Using a treadmill grade calculator to simulate effort2:23:48 Looking ahead to getting even better in his thirties2:24:19 Closing thoughts and thank you to CharlieTreadmill grade calculator: https://42.195km.net/e/treadsim/The other episode mentioned, for more on Charlie's training: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4qF8kurf3VzibAsJYWnmty?si=cdfb5255ec2d4d3bCharlie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cls1423/Start your free Musicbed trial: https://fm.pxf.io/kristianwarwickFull episodes + the Boston 2025 documentary: https://www.youtube.com/@WarwickrunsFollow my training journey on Instagram: @warwick.runsMusic from Musicbed: MB01XPYH8ZYENVAMB0133EV2TCQFZY

The Marathon Podcast is now proudly sponsored by Saysky Copenhagen. Use code TMP15 for 15% off at saysky.com.Get 20% off a Strava annual subscription with code KRISTIANSave on FlexBeam using code WARWICKRUNS or this link: https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/55GAPbKristian sits down with Rebecca Schmitt, the winner of Puma Project 3's Berlin cohort, fresh off a 2:27:38 marathon that made her the first American and 17th overall, just two and a half years after barely breaking three hours in her first Boston.Rebecca shares her late start in competitive running, coming back to the sport at 29 after years away, and how a sub three hour Boston in 2024 became the turning point that pushed her from 40 mile weeks into serious marathon training. She walks through the rapid mileage progression that followed, her experience as part of Puma Project 3 in Berlin, from the gear and nutrition resources to race day itself, and the moment she crossed the finish line not even realizing she'd just run the fastest American time of the race. The conversation closes with her honest, ambitious outlook on what's still ahead in her thirties, including a dream of breaking 2:26:50.In this episode:- Coming back to competitive running at 29 after years away- Running a sub three hour Boston in 2024 and the turning point that followed- Going from 70 mile weeks to 100 mile weeks within a year- Being selected for Puma Project 3 and what the support actually included- Nutrition and gear resources she didn't expect from the program- Race recap: running 2:27:38 and becoming the first American finisher- Not realizing she'd finished first American until after the race- Fueling strategy on race day: gels, electrolytes, and pacing- Why she believes she's still far from her ceiling in her thirties- Chasing a dream of breaking 2:26:50Timestamps00:00 SaySky discount code and podcast sponsorship00:45 Welcome and introducing Rebecca Schmitt02:04 Kristian's own training update03:21 Welcome to Rebecca and congratulations on Berlin04:27 Reflecting on her breakthrough performance05:12 Being part of Puma Project 3's Berlin cohort06:36 Nutrition and gear resources she didn't expect09:32 Rebecca's background as an engineer and late start in running13:12 A sub three hour Boston in 2024 and the turning point13:38 Going from 70 to 100 mile weeks within a year26:46 Crossing the finish line and not realizing she'd finished first American27:42 What it felt like to find out she was the first American43:59 What's next and how fast she can go44:30 Her dream of breaking 2:26:5045:03 Finding inspiration in women racing well into their thirtiesRebecca on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccaschmitt0/Start your free Musicbed trial: https://fm.pxf.io/kristianwarwickFull episodes + the Boston 2025 documentary: https://www.youtube.com/@WarwickrunsFollow my training journey on Instagram: @warwick.runsMusic from Musicbed: MB01XPYH8ZYENVAMB0133EV2TCQFZY

The Marathon Podcast is now proudly sponsored by Saysky Copenhagen. Use code TMP15 for 15% off at saysky.com.Get 20% off a Strava annual subscription with code KRISTIANSave on FlexBeam using code WARWICKRUNS or this link: https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/55GAPbKristian sits down with Stephanie Bruce, a professional runner of over 15 years and now the head of Project Stamata, supported by Tracksmith, for a conversation Kristian calls pure gold for runners at every level.Stephanie shares her path from a reluctant, unmotivated high school runner to a national champion and longtime pro at HOKA NAZ Elite, and opens up about the sudden loss of her father during her senior year of high school, a moment that changed how she approached the sport. She talks candidly about building a life around running as a mom of three and serial entrepreneur, from co-founding Picky Bars to now leading Project Stamata, a program supporting women chasing the 2028 Olympic Trials. The conversation turns into a genuinely useful masterclass on marathon training, including the one thing Stephanie says matters more than any workout: fueling.In this episode:- A special Boston Marathon cutoff time announcement- From an unmotivated high schooler to a national champion- Losing her father suddenly during her senior year of high school- Building a life in running as a mom of three and serial entrepreneur- Co-founding Picky Bars and years as a pro with HOKA NAZ Elite- Leading Tracksmith's Project Stamata for future Olympic Trials qualifiers- Finding the balance between hardcore dedication and living a full life- Why fueling, not training, is the biggest thing that makes or breaks a marathon cycle- The most common under fueling mistake she sees in athletes- What's next: a national team spot and racing New York in the pro fieldTimestamps00:00 Welcome and introducing Stephanie Bruce02:10 Announcing the podcast's sponsorship with Saysky Copenhagen02:17 A special Boston Marathon cutoff time announcement06:52 Welcome to Stephanie and the idea behind this series09:05 How she landed the role leading Project Stamata11:19 Stephanie's introduction: 15 years as a pro, mom of three14:00 An unmotivated high school runner living on Chick-fil-A14:10 Her father's cancer diagnosis and declining health14:53 The sudden loss of her father during her senior year29:07 Finding the right level of dedication for each phase of life31:07 Diving deeper into her professional running career36:34 What it means to have Olympian next to your name or not51:11 The most important thing in marathon training51:54 Why fueling makes or breaks a training cycle52:44 The most common under fueling mistake she sees2:13:10 What's next: a national team and racing New York2:14:20 Closing thoughts and thank you to StephanieStephanie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephrothsteinStart your free Musicbed trial: https://fm.pxf.io/kristianwarwickFull episodes + the Boston 2025 documentary: https://www.youtube.com/@WarwickrunsFollow my training journey on Instagram: @warwick.runsMusic from Musicbed: MB01XPYH8ZYENVAMB0133EV2TCQFZY

The Marathon Podcast is now proudly sponsored by Saysky Copenhagen. Use code TMP15 for 15% off at saysky.com.Get 20% off a Strava annual subscription with code KRISTIANSave on FlexBeam using code WARWICKRUNS or this link: https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/55GAPbKristian is back from the Berlin Marathon with a special solo episode: a recap of the elite race, followed by an honest look at what race weekend in Berlin is really like for a runner.He starts with the elites: Tigst Assefa's course record 2:11:04 and the Achilles injury that came to light afterwards, Guye Adola's 2:02:50 personal best, and former Nordic combined athlete Jakob Lange running 2:13:57. Then Kristian walks through his own weekend, from the expo and the Puma and Saysky activations to the Run and Rave shakeout, and the mistakes and lessons he'd pass on to anyone racing Berlin. He wasn't racing it, so his own run was a 16k progression inside a marathon that ended in 2:53, followed by a candid reflection on why that still left him feeling mediocre.In this episode:- The elite race: Assefa, Adola, and a big result from Jakob Lange- Why Sabastian Sawe missed the race- Meeting the Saysky team at the Berlin expo- How the Berlin expo works and the wristband tip that gets you free public transit- The Puma activation and the Run and Rave shakeout- Race morning: when to actually show up at the start- Why the plastic cups and one sided aid stations are a problem- Running a 16k progression inside a marathon- Comparison culture and feeling mediocre after a 2:53- Would he recommend Berlin?Timestamps00:00 Welcome and what this episode covers00:50 Meeting Tony from Saysky in Berlin03:41 The elite women: Tigst Assefa's course record05:31 Assefa's Achilles injury and surgery06:05 Women's results and the fastest German woman07:15 The men's race: Adola wins in 2:02:5007:46 Sabastian Sawe out injured09:56 Jakob Lange: from Nordic combined to 2:13:5711:36 Dextro Energy and the Pfeiffers' withdrawal13:44 Kristian's own Berlin weekend begins14:43 The expo at the old airport15:38 Keep the wristband on: free public transit18:44 Big brands and the Wahoo Kickr Run21:27 The Puma activation and the sub 4 challenge22:52 Meeting the Puma Project 3 team24:15 Running with Ron Runs NYC and a bottle service tip26:03 Why he likes Berlin more this time27:39 Saturday shakeouts and marathonweekend.com30:23 The Puma Run and Rave33:14 Watching the inline skating race33:42 The mistake of forgetting throwaway clothes36:07 The plan with his coach: a 16k progression40:04 Race morning and how early to arrive45:14 A flat, fast, crowded course46:03 Aid stations and the plastic cup problem51:54 Running the progression too fast56:23 Dancing with the crowd through the last 10k57:31 Finishing through the Brandenburg Gate58:34 Feeling mediocre after a 2:531:01:57 Congratulating the Puma Project 3 winners1:02:45 Final thoughts on Berlin and what's nextStart your free Musicbed trial: https://fm.pxf.io/kristianwarwickFull episodes + the Boston 2025 documentary: https://www.youtube.com/@WarwickrunsFollow my training journey on Instagram: @warwick.runsMusic from Musicbed: MB01XPYH8ZYENVAMB0133EV2TCQFZY