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

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