Show Notes
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 KRISTIAN
Save on FlexBeam using code WARWICKRUNS or this link: https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/55GAPb
Kristian sits down with Lars Dewall, a middle school teacher and former Nordic skier who ran a 2:22 debut marathon on a three week build and has since worked his way down to a 2:12:13 personal best at the Berlin Marathon.
Lars shares how a Minnesota ski racer turned runner fits two runs a day around a full teaching job, from a 5:30 am shake out to afternoon sessions after school. He explains how his Nordic background shapes his training, why he keeps easy days really easy, and how he ramped up to 135+ mile weeks. We also get an honest look at Berlin as part of Puma Project 3, where he set a PB by 18 seconds but had to let go of his sub 2:10 goal mid race, plus a deep dive into his double threshold sessions and strength routine.
In this episode: - Balancing a full time teaching job with a 2:12 marathon - A normal training day, from a 5:30 am run to afternoon miles - How Nordic skiing built his aerobic engine - Running 2:22 in his debut marathon with only three weeks of notice - Why he keeps easy days really, really easy - Going from 2:22 to 2:14 at CIM to 2:12 at Boston - Berlin with Puma Project 3 and letting go of a sub 2:10 goal mid race - Double threshold sessions and treadmill workouts - Why he started strength training after college - Peak mileage of 135+ miles a week
Timestamps 00:00 Welcome and why this conversation stood out 01:58 Looking back at 225 episodes 03:07 The friendships behind the podcast and a word on Saysky 04:51 Welcome to Lars 06:26 How he balances teaching and running 07:01 A normal training day 09:11 Minnesota and Nordic skiing 13:23 Moving to San Diego and running with Lane Zero 18:12 The 2:22 debut at Grandma's on three weeks of notice 23:12 Ramping up mileage fast after moving to San Diego 26:39 Keeping easy days really easy 28:29 Training by hours, not miles 33:06 Choosing running over a promising ski career 36:11 From CIM to Boston: how he got to 2:12 41:11 Puma Project 3 and the Berlin build 43:15 Berlin: dropping off the sub 2:10 pack and still running a PB 44:22 Why the sub 2:10 barrier is still the goal 48:10 What he'd change after Berlin 56:32 Threshold sessions on the treadmill and roads 58:31 Double threshold in the Berlin build 59:21 Why he started strength training after college 1:04:22 Peak mileage: 135+ miles a week 1:14:01 Testing at Puma HQ in Boston 1:15:50 What's next after Berlin 1:17:20 Closing thoughts and a thank you to Lars
Lars on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dewalllars/
Start your free Musicbed trial: https://fm.pxf.io/kristianwarwick
Full episodes + the Boston 2025 documentary: https://www.youtube.com/@Warwickruns Follow my training journey on Instagram: @warwick.runs Music from Musicbed: MB01XPYH8ZYENVAMB0133EV2TCQFZY
More from The Marathon Podcast
The Marathon Podcast is now proudly sponsored by Saysky Copenhagen. Use code TMP15 for 15% off at saysky.com.
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 KRISTIAN Save on FlexBeam using code WARWICKRUNS or this link: https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/55GAPb How does a winter Olympian become a 1:09 half marathoner in two years? Sofie Karoline Haugen skated for Norway at the 2022 Olympics, retired from speed skating in 2024, and has since run 10K in 31:57 and a 1:09 half marathon at the Copenhagen half, just a year after running 1:18 in the same city. Kristian and Sofie have known each other for around 17 years and both come from speed skating. In this conversation, Sofie looks back on her career: the years without progress, the decision to move to Stavanger and rebuild her training, the 2019 breakthrough that took her to ninth in the world, and the Olympic Games. She explains why she walked away when she was still skating well, and how a casual 3K on the track turned into a running career. Then the conversation turns to training. Sofie takes us through her week at 170 to 180 kilometers, including double threshold days, how she keeps her easy days easy, why consistency matters most, how she chooses shoes for different days as someone who works at the running store Löplabbet, and what she has learned about bicarbonate. She also reveals that her first marathon is coming up in November. In this episode: From speed skating to a 1:09 half marathon The years of hard work before the breakthrough Moving to Stavanger and rebuilding her training Qualifying for the Olympics Why she quit skating in 2024 Her first races as a runner Racing the Copenhagen half Shoes for different days, including the Alphafly 4 A full week at 170 to 180 kilometers Building strength without getting injured Her first marathon
Content note: This episode includes open discussion of drug addiction, homelessness, violence, mental health and suicidal thoughts (mainly between 05:00 and 12:00). Please take care while listening. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use in the US, the SAMHSA National Helpline is available at 1-800-662-4357.
The Marathon Podcast is now proudly sponsored by Saysky Copenhagen. Use code TMP15 for 15% off at saysky.com.
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 KRISTIAN Save on FlexBeam using code WARWICKRUNS or this link: https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/55GAPb Michael, better known as SupaDupa Slim, is a 2:15 marathoner from Austin, Texas, coached by Jeff Cunningham of Bat City Track Lab. His path to 2:15 has been anything but linear: from the slow kid on the team in a small Texas town, to a marathon that fell apart in the second half, to missing the Olympic Trials standard by seconds, and finally to running 2:15 at the McCurdy Pro Marathon and qualifying. In this conversation, Michael breaks down what actually moved the needle: small, steady jumps instead of big leaps, a smarter approach to mileage, learning to run marathon pace without fear, and why time alone should never define you as a runner. He walks through his training week for the marathon, the block behind the 2:15, and the race itself. He also explains where the SupaDupa Slim name comes from. Before the interview, Kristian shares his own training update on the road to a sub-2:30 attempt in Valencia, including a 3:21 per kilometer opener in a session he did not expect to hold. In this episode: Where the name SupaDupa Slim comes from From slow kid to 2:15 marathoner, 25 years of running Two first marathons and what they taught him Overtraining, injury and rebuilding with patience Why small jumps and consistency beat big leaps How to chase a faster pace without freezing up A full marathon training week and the block behind the 2:15 His mileage philosophy and advice for runners The McCurdy Pro Marathon, mile by mile Next up: the Houston Half Marathon and a Boston pro field hope Timestamps 00:00 Introducing Michael 01:44 Kristian’s training update 02:08 Saysky 14:45 Interview begins 14:52 The name SupaDupa Slim 16:52 What running means to Michael 20:03 Staying consistent for 25 years 22:32 Growing up with running siblings 26:40 His first marathons 32:43 Learning what it takes 39:01 Injury and rebuilding 41:00 Time goals and the ceilings we create 44:53 Learning to run faster paces 48:17 Commitment and decision making 51:07 Coach Jeff Cunningham 53:32 A marathon block for 2:15 1:00:12 Recovery and fueling 1:03:49 Small habits and mobility 1:06:23 Mileage advice 1:10:23 Doing less and feeling better 1:13:24 A week of marathon training 1:17:45 The McCurdy Pro Marathon 1:23:06 Qualifying, emotions and the finish 1:26:11 What’s next 1:27:34 Wrap up Michael on Instagram: @supadupaslim Start your free Musicbed trial: https://fm.pxf.io/kristianwarwick Full episodes + the Boston 2025 documentary: https://www.youtube.com/@Warwickruns Follow my training journey on Instagram: @warwick.runs Music from Musicbed: MB01XPYH8ZYENVAMB0133EV2TCQFZY