#101 ALEX YEE - MARATHON MAN

May 2, 2025

Alex Yee, an Olympic and World Champion triathlete, shares his journey of completing his first marathon in London, finishing an impressive 14th. He discusses the emotional significance of the marathon start line and the different pain experiences between marathon running and triathlons. Yee reflects on seeking purpose after his Olympic success, his intense training regimen of up to 600km a month, and maintaining a positive mindset following a severe crash in 2017. His humble perspective and ambition shine through as he embraces new challenges.

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ANECDOTE

Emotional London Marathon Debut

Alex Yee describes the emotional and surreal experience of running his first marathon in his hometown of London.
He emphasizes the shared communal spirit among 56,500 runners converging to achieve personal goals on race day.

INSIGHT

Unique Marathon Pain Experience

Marathon pain differs from triathlon, with muscular fatigue dominating despite capable cardio.
Yee experienced mental and physical contradictions, feeling able but his legs refusing to continue near the end.

INSIGHT

Purpose Beyond Olympic Success

After Olympic and World Championship success, Yee sought new purpose beyond repeating.
He saw marathon running as a fresh challenge to improve specifically his running ability, embracing curiosity over routine.

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If you achieved your dream double of becoming Olympic and World Champion in the same year, what would you do? For Alex Yee, the answer was simple. Test himself over running's marquee distance on one of the biggest stages of them all: The London Marathon.

We headed to Brockley, south London, just a few miles from that start line, to speak to one of the most understated, unflappable and, quite simply, impressive triathletes of all time and hear about the emotion and exhaustion of the day as he strived for something remarkable.

From the training loads to the heat of battle and what lies ahead, Yee is the epitome of relaxation and ambition as he recounts the journey from the backyard of the house he grew up in.

FOLLOW HIS RACE ON STRAVA: https://strava.app.link/iZJX5Kxn2Sb

[00:00:00] Post-Marathon Reflections

Yee reflects on the surreal experience of finishing 14th in the marathon and the emotional significance of the start line.

[00:03:00] Marathon vs. Triathlon Pain

The unique physical challenges of marathon running—mental endurance vs. muscular fatigue.

[00:05:00] Purpose Beyond Olympic Success

Seeking purpose and new challenges post-Olympic and World Championship victories.

[00:09:00] Training Volume and Adaptation

The training details - up to 600km/month- with triathlon elements still retained.

[00:16:00] Philosophical Perspective and Gratitude

Maintaining internal motivation, gratitude, and broader perspective after his serious crash in 2017.

[00:20:00] Emotional Finish Line at London Marathon

The powerful emotions and pride of his hometown Marathon

[00:26:00] Performance Analysis and Heat Impact

The performance dip in the final 8km and hitting the data, including heat and heart rate drift.

[00:29:00] Collaborative Coaching Approach

Just how he and coach Adam Elliot worked with experts across disciplines to prepare for the marathon.

[00:39:00] Physiological Learnings from Marathon

The unexpected physical adaptations and how they may influence future triathlon training.

[00:45:00] Triathlon culture and his Blue Carpet Future

Where next for the Marathon Man as he builds towards defending his triathlon title at LA 2028