Today on the podcast, I am talking with Jonathan Western, and this is a really special conversation leading into Boston Marathon weekend.

Jonathan is a 2:46 marathoner who has truly built his running journey over time. He ran his first half marathon in 2012 and his first marathon in 2014, and then really found consistency around 2017 to 2018. Since then, he has fully embraced the sport.

This will be his eighth consecutive Boston Marathon, and this year he is taking it to another level by running the Double Boston. He has completed 16 marathons and 21 ultras, and he is someone who clearly loves to challenge himself in big ways.

We talk about his life as a runner, raising an active family alongside his wife Christine, who is also running Boston this year, and how running has become such a constant in his life.

Jonathan also shares about a personal hardship he has walked through and how running has always been there for him through it. That thread really carries through this entire conversation and gives a deeper look into why he shows up the way he does.

I love talking to everyday runners, and while Jonathan may not call himself elite, celebrating your 40th birthday with a 100-mile run definitely says otherwise. He brings so much perspective, resilience, and passion to the running community, and I’m really excited for you to hear his story.

What we discussed:

Double Boston challenge (running the course twice)
Boston Marathon approach vs running for time vs experience
Marathon PR (2:46) and race breakdown at Boston
First marathon experience and early running journey
Running with his wife and family life balance
Jigger Johnson 100 attempt and embracing difficult races
Road vs trail running and seasonal training approach
Loss of his son Cooper and running through grief
Mount to Coast partnership and Double Boston support setup
Mindset: pursuing hard things and reframing failure

Media mentioned

Severance
Foo Fighters

Thank you to our sponsors:

Mount to Coast is a performance footwear brand focused on supporting runners who push beyond traditional race formats, especially in the ultrarunning space. Rather than taking a standard approach to race weekend activations, the brand leaned into its identity by backing unique efforts like Double Boston, providing athletes with both gear and logistical support to take on unconventional challenges. Their C1 shoe is designed with long-distance comfort in mind, offering substantial cushioning that holds up over extended efforts on the road. The brand’s approach reflects a commitment to endurance, creativity, and meeting runners where they are, whether that’s chasing a personal best or taking on something entirely outside the norm.

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Episode 678: Jonathan Western on Running Through Hardship and Taking on Double Boston