#220 Rachel McCardell Community running became an OTQ

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 Rachel McCardell, a Puma Project 3 athlete and Olympic Trials qualifier, just days before she lines up at the Berlin Marathon.Rachel shares what it'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.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. 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.https://www.instagram.com/rachel_mccardell/In this episode:- Being part of Puma Project 3 and the community around it- The Northwestern cross country coach who transformed her mindset- Lessons on teamwork, gratitude, and making hard work fun- Qualifying for the Olympic Trials with a six minute PR in Chicago- Having a teammate pace her through the entire race- Learning to stop putting pressure on time goals- Fueling and nutrition lessons from the Puma Project 3 resources- Her honest, low pressure approach to Berlin- The sub 2:30 time quietly in the back of her mindTimestamps00:00 Welcome and introducing this Berlin special with Rachel01:38 Announcing the podcast's sponsorship with Saysky Copenhagen01:50 Welcome to Rachel, seven days before Berlin03:28 How it felt to be selected for Puma Project 305:09 Fueling: the biggest takeaway from the project10:05 Deciding to run marathons to stay with her community10:19 Qualifying for the Olympic Trials in Chicago with a 2:3411:11 Her teammate Mitch pacing her through the entire race11:52 The Northwestern coach who gave Kristian chills17:35 Lessons on teamwork, fun, and gratitude that stuck with her37:09 Fueling and nutrition lessons from the project58:03 Race day nutrition strategy explained1:04:10 Sharing the Chicago moment with her teammate1:04:51 Her goal for Berlin and why she won't verbalize a time1:07:03 The sub 2:30 quietly in the back of her mind1:07:19 Closing thoughts and good luck in BerlinStart 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