CJ Albertson On Training Average, Racing Smart, And Why Enjoyment Is the Goal Before 2026 Boston Marathon

“I want everyone I coach to run super fast, but when I really think about their races, I’m thinking more about what I want them to experience when they’re racing. I feel like that’s still got to be the same for me too. When I have those experiences that are good and I know what running can be, the times and places take care of themselves.”

CJ Albertson is back on the show. Regular listeners know that he’s always one of the most fascinating, unconventional, and honest voices in American marathoning.

We last had him on the podcast in 2024. He’s a 2:08 marathoner, a World Championships team member last year, always captivated us because he does things his own way – whether that’s leading major marathons from the gun, stacking up race after race, or embracing a style of training that looks somewhat different from almost anyone else at his level.

Right now, what’s most interesting about him is trying to understand what’s happening under the surface.

Because coming into this Boston Marathon build, CJ has been dealing with something he’s spent years trying to figure out: a physiological disconnect where his body just isn’t responding the way it should. He believes it’s chronically low and inverted cortisol levels so his energy systems aren’t firing properly. Right now, he’s been balancing the reality of trying to train and race at a world-class level while feeling like your body is operating at half capacity.

By his own admission, his workouts often look average compared to those of other elite runners. But when it comes time to race 26.2 miles, he finds a way to compete and extract the absolute most out of whatever fitness he has on the day.
In this conversation, we go deep into that — what it feels like when your body won’t respond, how he’s working with Brooks to better understand his physiology, and why he’s choosing not to force things as he looks toward the long game of 2028.

We also talk Boston and what six appearances on the course have taught him, how he’s adjusting his approach this year, and why success might have less to do with the clock and more to do with actually enjoying the race again.

This is the first in a series of interviews that we’re doing with Brooks marathoners in the leadup to the Boston Marathon. Stay tuned as we announce our schedule of events with Brooks out of the Hyperion House. We’ll have a shakeout run on Saturday morning at 8 a.m., a live chat with Jess McClain and more.

____________

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez

Guest: CJ Albertson | @cjalbertson

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr | ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr

____________

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

WAHOO: With the Wahoo KICKR RUN, you can simulate the exact Boston or London Marathon course right in your own home. You can also use the run free mode, which uses sensors to automatically match the belt speed to your stride. No buttons, no interruptions, no breaking your flow. ⁠When you use code CITIUS at checkout, you'll also get a free KICKR Headwind Smart Fan. Check it out today at wahoofitness.com.

OLIPOP: Olipop’s Tropical Punch tastes like a vacation in a can. It has the perfect balance of pineapple, passionfruit, mandarin, and apple. You get that nostalgic fruit punch flavor, but way more crisp and way more refreshing. If you haven't had tried Olipop yet, grab a can and see what the hype is all about!⁠⁠ Head to DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.⁠⁠

XENDURANCE: When you finish a hard workout, the work isn't actually done. That's when recovery starts. Xendurance Protein is designed specifically to help your body recover, rebuild, and get stronger after training. It combines four different types of protein, so your body gets both fast absorbing protein for immediate recovery and slower release protein to support muscle repair over time. ⁠⁠Check it out at Xendurance.com and use code CITIUS for 25% off your first order.