#220 Rachel McCardell: Community running became an OTQ

<p>The Marathon Podcast is now proudly sponsored by Saysky Copenhagen. Use code TMP15 for 15% off at saysky.com.</p><p><br></p><p>Get 20% off a Strava annual subscription with code KRISTIAN</p><p><br></p><p>Save on FlexBeam using code WARWICKRUNS or this link: https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/55GAPb</p><p><br></p><p>Kristian sits down with Rachel McCardell, a Puma Project 3 athlete and Olympic Trials qualifier, just days before she lines up at the Berlin Marathon.</p><p><br></p><p>Rachel shares what it&#39;s meant to be part of Puma Project 3 and the running community around it, and opens up about the incredible influence of her college coach at Northwestern, a conversation that Kristian says gave him chills.</p><p>She talks through her Olympic Trials qualifying race in Chicago, a six minute personal best run with her teammate pacing her the entire way, and how the mindset lessons from her college program have stayed with her well beyond running. </p><p>The conversation closes with her honest, low pressure approach to goal setting heading into Berlin, and the sub 2:30 time quietly sitting in the back of her mind.</p><p>https://www.instagram.com/rachel_mccardell/</p><p>In this episode:</p><p>- Being part of Puma Project 3 and the community around it</p><p>- The Northwestern cross country coach who transformed her mindset</p><p>- Lessons on teamwork, gratitude, and making hard work fun</p><p>- Qualifying for the Olympic Trials with a six minute PR in Chicago</p><p>- Having a teammate pace her through the entire race</p><p>- Learning to stop putting pressure on time goals</p><p>- Fueling and nutrition lessons from the Puma Project 3 resources</p><p>- Her honest, low pressure approach to Berlin</p><p>- The sub 2:30 time quietly in the back of her mind</p><p><br></p><p>Timestamps</p><p>00:00 Welcome and introducing this Berlin special with Rachel</p><p>01:38 Announcing the podcast&#39;s sponsorship with Saysky Copenhagen</p><p>01:50 Welcome to Rachel, seven days before Berlin</p><p>03:28 How it felt to be selected for Puma Project 3</p><p>05:09 Fueling: the biggest takeaway from the project</p><p>10:05 Deciding to run marathons to stay with her community</p><p>10:19 Qualifying for the Olympic Trials in Chicago with a 2:34</p><p>11:11 Her teammate Mitch pacing her through the entire race</p><p>11:52 The Northwestern coach who gave Kristian chills</p><p>17:35 Lessons on teamwork, fun, and gratitude that stuck with her</p><p>37:09 Fueling and nutrition lessons from