#226 Lars Dewall is a 2:12 marathoner but his training is different

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 Timestamps00:00 Welcome and why this conversation stood out01:58 Looking back at 225 episodes03:07 The friendships behind the podcast and a word on Saysky04:51 Welcome to Lars06:26 How he balances teaching and running07:01 A normal training day09:11 Minnesota and Nordic skiing13:23 Moving to San Diego and running with Lane Zero18:12 The 2:22 debut at Grandma's on three weeks of notice23:12 Ramping up mileage fast after moving to San Diego26:39 Keeping easy days really easy28:29 Training by hours, not miles33:06 Choosing running over a promising ski career36:11 From CIM to Boston: how he got to 2:1241:11 Puma Project 3 and the Berlin build43:15 Berlin: dropping off the sub 2:10 pack and still running a PB44:22 Why the sub 2:10 barrier is still the goal48:10 What he'd change after Berlin56:32 Threshold sessions on the treadmill and roads58:31 Double threshold in the Berlin build59:21 Why he started strength training after college1:04:22 Peak mileage: 135+ miles a week1:14:01 Testing at Puma HQ in Boston1:15:50 What's next after Berlin1:17:20 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/@WarwickrunsFollow my training journey on Instagram: @warwick.runsMusic from Musicbed: MB01XPYH8ZYENVAMB0133EV2TCQFZY