# #227 Dakotah Popehn on Chicago, her training and her book (You think this hurts)

An episode of [The Marathon Podcast](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1803837535), 9 Oct 2026, 1 h 15 min.

Audio: https://anchor.fm/s/11464a0e0/podcast/play/127137469/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-9-8%2F433726832-44100-2-6c6454f896d95.mp3

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 Olympic marathoner Dakotah Lindwurm joins The Marathon Podcast just days before she lines up at the Chicago Marathon. She was the top American at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing 12th, and is a three-time Grandma's Marathon champion. Dakotah went from a Minnesota hockey kid who finished last in her first high school mile to a Division II runner at Northern State and, eventually, one of the best marathoners in the country. She shares how she trains with Minnesota Distance Elite, why strength work has been behind some of her biggest leaps, how she has stayed healthy for so long, and what a normal marathon training week looks like for her. We also get into race week, her Chicago goal, the road to the 2028 Olympic Trials, and her upcoming book, You Think This Hurts. Kristian also shares an update on his own build for a sub-2:30 attempt in Valencia in December. In this episode: - Race week routines and her goal for Chicago - From hockey to the Olympic marathon - Qualifying for Paris and finishing 12th - Getting engaged right after the Olympic marathon - Staying consistent and injury-free for years - Training with Minnesota Distance Elite and coach Chris Lundstrom - Minnesota winters and the Norwegian training link - Strength training for runners - A full week of marathon training, including easy pace and long runs - Her book, You Think This Hurts Timestamps 00:00 Cold open 00:13 Welcome 01:33 Kristian's training update 04:18 Giveaway 04:56 Saysky and sponsors 05:44 Race week with Dakotah 08:38 Her background 09:12 From hockey to running 10:32 Northern State 14:19 Qualifying for the Olympics 16:22 Last year's Chicago and big goals 19:00 Pressure: Olympics vs majors 20:26 Paris, 12th place and the proposal 24:51 The book 27:50 What running means to her 32:09 Chicago goals 37:26 Racing for top three at the Trials 39:30 Why she has stayed consistent 43:32 Minnesota Distance Elite 50:13 Coach Chris Lundstrom 52:30 Minnesota winters 56:38 Strength training 1:03:08 A normal training week 1:09:56 Easy pace and long runs 1:11:41 Pre-ordering the book 1:13:05 Outro https://www.instagram.com/dakotahlindwurm/ Her book: https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/you-think-this-hurts-9781250476234/ 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

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