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Kristian sits down with Rebecca Schmitt, the winner of Puma Project 3's Berlin cohort, fresh off a 2:27:38 marathon that made her the first American and 17th overall, just two and a half years after barely breaking three hours in her first Boston.

Rebecca shares her late start in competitive running, coming back to the sport at 29 after years away, and how a sub three hour Boston in 2024 became the turning point that pushed her from 40 mile weeks into serious marathon training. She walks through the rapid mileage progression that followed, her experience as part of Puma Project 3 in Berlin, from the gear and nutrition resources to race day itself, and the moment she crossed the finish line not even realizing she'd just run the fastest American time of the race.

The conversation closes with her honest, ambitious outlook on what's still ahead in her thirties, including a dream of breaking 2:26:50.

In this episode:

- Coming back to competitive running at 29 after years away

- Running a sub three hour Boston in 2024 and the turning point that followed

- Going from 70 mile weeks to 100 mile weeks within a year

- Being selected for Puma Project 3 and what the support actually included

- Nutrition and gear resources she didn't expect from the program

- Race recap: running 2:27:38 and becoming the first American finisher

- Not realizing she'd finished first American until after the race

- Fueling strategy on race day: gels, electrolytes, and pacing

- Why she believes she's still far from her ceiling in her thirties

- Chasing a dream of breaking 2:26:50

Timestamps

00:00 SaySky discount code and podcast sponsorship

00:45 Welcome and introducing Rebecca Schmitt

02:04 Kristian's own training update

03:21 Welcome to Rebecca and congratulations on Berlin

04:27 Reflecting on her breakthrough performance

05:12 Being part of Puma Project 3's Berlin cohort

06:36 Nutrition and gear resources she didn't expect

09:32 Rebecca's background as an engineer and late start in running

13:12 A sub three hour Boston in 2024 and the turning point

13:38 Going from 70 to 100 mile weeks within a year

26:46 Crossing the finish line and not realizing she'd finished first American

27:42 What it felt like to find out she was the first American

43:59 What's next and how fast she can go

44:30 Her dream of breaking 2:26:50

45:03 Finding inspiration in women racing well into their thirties

Rebecca on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccaschmitt0/

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Full episodes + the Boston 2025 documentary: https://www.youtube.com/@Warwickruns

Follow my training journey on Instagram: @warwick.runs

Music from Musicbed: MB01XPYH8ZYENVAMB0133EV2TCQFZY