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
Christi Dee has run 46 marathons, left a 20-year corporate career to start her own running coaching business, and written two children's books about running. In this conversation, Kristian talks to her about all three: why she wrote Can a Frog Jog and Maya Runs a Marathon, what it took to bet on herself, and how she approaches coaching real people with busy lives.
They also get into consistency, what makes running sustainable over decades, the coach and runner relationship, and why not every marathon needs to be a PR. They finish with the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, a hometown race that is close to her heart.
Before the interview, Kristian shares an update on his own training: why he now looks at a rolling 7-day window instead of Monday to Sunday, his first workout on the Wahoo Kickr Run treadmill, a 28K treadmill long run, and honest doubts about his sub 2:30 goal in Valencia.
In this episode: - Why Christi wrote running books for children - Can a Frog Jog and Maya Runs a Marathon - Leaving corporate America to coach full time - Running 46 marathons and keeping it sustainable - Coaching busy athletes without making running their whole life - Building confidence in a new career - Trust and communication between coach and runner - Why every marathon does not have to be a PR - The Indianapolis Monumental Marathon and the indie running community
Timestamps 00:00 Welcome and what is coming in this episode 00:59 Kristian's training update: Monday to Sunday vs a rolling 7 days 03:05 First workout on the Wahoo Kickr Run treadmill 05:27 A 28K treadmill long run 06:51 Six weeks out from Valencia and the sub 2:30 goal 10:03 Saysky Copenhagen 11:12 Interview with Christi Dee begins 11:39 Why she wrote children's books about running 14:14 Maya Runs a Marathon 15:19 From corporate America to a coaching business 18:47 How kids and parents have reacted to the books 22:19 Teaching kids about the marathon 25:44 Running 46 marathons 28:42 Running while working a corporate job, and why she made the switch 34:13 Consistency and sustainable training 37:51 Coaching busy athletes 41:42 Confidence when starting something new 44:28 Trust and communication between coach and runner 48:56 Not every marathon is a PR 50:10 Her first marathon, Chicago 2006 51:23 The Indianapolis Monumental Marathon 56:22 Where to find the books and wrap-up
Follow Christi on Instagram: @this_blonde_runs
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.
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.