In this episode, Ross Dempsey sits down with Chris Edell, a San Francisco–based endurance runner who has completed the World Marathon Challenge (7 marathons on 7 continents). Chris shares his journey from a ski-obsessed teenager to an accomplished long-distance runner, and how running has shaped his mindset, resilience, and family life.

We cover everything from the mental battle with the inner voice, training strategies, and using AI to plan workouts, to balancing family responsibilities while chasing extreme endurance goals. Whether you’re a new runner preparing for your first 5K or someone curious about ultra-endurance events, this episode is packed with lessons you can apply right away.

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Chapters

00:00 Intro & Guest Background

00:57 Early Running & Skiing Roots

02:00 Mental Benefits & The Inner Voice

08:32 Restarting & First Marathon Goal

09:15 Overcoming Doubt & Early Pain

09:51 Training Pillars + Using AI Plans

25:33 Sickness Rule: Above-the-Neck vs Below-the-Neck

26:16 Strength Training, Load & Injuries

39:17 World Marathon Challenge: 7 Marathons • 7 Days • 7 Continents

41:51 Back-to-Back 20-Milers & 100-Mile Weeks

42:46 Family, Time Management & Efficiency

44:16 Peace of Mind, Stoicism & Closing Advice

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