#224 Charlie Sweeney: The Fastest American in Berlin Marathon History & Why He Almost Quit in 2024

<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 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&#39;s never been more excited to share.</p><p><br></p><p>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&#39;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.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode:</p><p>- Becoming the fastest American in Berlin Marathon history</p><p>- A difficult Olympic Trials experience and the fallout that followed</p><p>- Nearly stepping away from running altogether</p><p>- How pacing his now partner Elise&#39;s workouts brought him back</p><p>- Returning to the marathon and rediscovering the love of the sport</p><p>- Training under coach David Roche and peaking at 150 miles a week</p><p>- The uphill treadmill sessions behind his breakthrough</p><p>- Using a treadmill grade calculator to simulate race effort</p><p>- Balancing elite training with a full time job at Coros</p><p>- What comes next as he looks to keep improving into his thirties</p><p><br></p><p>Timestamps</p><p>00:00 A preview: what a good day on the track looks like now</p><p>00:18 Welcome and introducing Charlie Sweeney</p><p>02:02 Kristian&#39;s own training update</p><p>04:23 Announcing the podcast&#39;s sponsorship with Saysky Copenhagen</p><p>05:16 Welcome to Charlie and why this episode means so much</p><p>11:38 Charlie&#39;s background and his job at Coros</p><p>20:55 Working at a running brand that takes hiring seriously</p><p>21:17