27:I[56264,["/_next/static/chunks/3fntmmi971322.js","/_next/static/chunks/1ymt1shyhmu-4.js","/_next/static/chunks/291ciwmgtp_xc.js","/_next/static/chunks/2owa30hnifmhr.js","/_next/static/chunks/2tie5rqwdsi89.js","/_next/static/chunks/2dnipz2c0692b.js","/_next/static/chunks/1mf5iq195c2sn.js","/_next/static/chunks/03wn0-bzh3abk.js","/_next/static/chunks/0_02m0ghanddv.js"],"GuestHistoryRecorder"] 28:I[3004,["/_next/static/chunks/3fntmmi971322.js","/_next/static/chunks/1ymt1shyhmu-4.js","/_next/static/chunks/291ciwmgtp_xc.js","/_next/static/chunks/2owa30hnifmhr.js","/_next/static/chunks/2tie5rqwdsi89.js","/_next/static/chunks/2dnipz2c0692b.js","/_next/static/chunks/1mf5iq195c2sn.js","/_next/static/chunks/03wn0-bzh3abk.js","/_next/static/chunks/0_02m0ghanddv.js"],"EmailPreview"] 2b:I[27201,["/_next/static/chunks/3fntmmi971322.js","/_next/static/chunks/1ymt1shyhmu-4.js","/_next/static/chunks/291ciwmgtp_xc.js","/_next/static/chunks/2owa30hnifmhr.js"],"IconMark"] 29:Tb3f4,

“Athlete spotlight: Olympic marathoner. Dakotah Popehn." over image of dakotah popehn training.

With the Chicago Marathon just days away, we sat down with elite marathoner Dakotah Popehn to talk course strategy, mental toughness, and the fueling mistakes that hold runners back.

              READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
            

Q&A with Dakotah Popehn

What is one piece of nutrition advice you wish you learned earlier?

Dakotah: You should never be running fasted. Ever. I took some really bad advice early in my career, and I can't believe how long I was running fasted every single morning... Just grab a UCAN as you're walking out the door. It’s going to sit well, and you're going to feel better not only in your run, but after your run.

What is your biggest piece of advice for someone running Chicago for the first time?

Dakotah: Manually set your watch at the mile markers because you will not get an accurate reading with all those tall buildings. And start slow. It's so loud and electric at the beginning of Chicago that people run outside of themselves early... you might be digging a hole without knowing it.

Do you have a mantra you use when the race gets really hard?

Dakotah: I’ve been using the same mantra since college: 'I am strong, I am fast, my speed will last.' But you have to be flexible. Sometimes you just have to find the word that resonates in that moment. Have something ready, but be willing to pivot if you need something else to will you to the finish line.

              Read the full Q&A
            

Want to mimic Dakotah's race day fuel?

Grab the same fuel she uses on the course—Orange Mango Edge Gels deliver steady energy and a refreshing flavor, without any gut drama.

              SHOP 26.2% OFF
            

photo of a box of orange mango ucan energy gels with a pouch next to it

image of dakotah popehn smiling with a ucan energy gel

Shop the full UCAN lineup.

              TO THE STORE
            

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The UCAN Company 3000 Whitney Ave PMB 119 Hamden, CT 06518

2a:Tc63,[UCAN logo blue and white](https://ucan.co/collections/all) [“Athlete spotlight: Olympic marathoner. Dakotah Popehn." over image of dakotah popehn training.](https://ucan.co/blogs/energy-lab/chicago-marathon-a-fast-course-and-nutrition-is-top-of-mind) With the Chicago Marathon just days away, we sat down with elite marathoner Dakotah Popehn to talk course strategy, mental toughness, and the fueling mistakes that hold runners back. [READ THE FULL INTERVIEW](https://ucan.co/blogs/energy-lab/chicago-marathon-a-fast-course-and-nutrition-is-top-of-mind) Q&A with Dakotah PopehnWhat is one piece of nutrition advice you wish you learned earlier? Dakotah: You should never be running fasted. Ever. I took some really bad advice early in my career, and I can't believe how long I was running fasted every single morning... Just grab a UCAN as you're walking out the door. It’s going to sit well, and you're going to feel better not only in your run, but after your run. What is your biggest piece of advice for someone running Chicago for the first time? Dakotah: Manually set your watch at the mile markers because you will not get an accurate reading with all those tall buildings. And start slow. It's so loud and electric at the beginning of Chicago that people run outside of themselves early... you might be digging a hole without knowing it. Do you have a mantra you use when the race gets really hard? Dakotah: I’ve been using the same mantra since college: 'I am strong, I am fast, my speed will last.' But you have to be flexible. Sometimes you just have to find the word that resonates in that moment. Have something ready, but be willing to pivot if you need something else to will you to the finish line. [Read the full Q&A](https://ucan.co/blogs/energy-lab/chicago-marathon-a-fast-course-and-nutrition-is-top-of-mind) Want to mimic Dakotah's race day fuel? Want to mimic Dakotah's race day fuel? Grab the same fuel she uses on the course—Orange Mango Edge Gels deliver steady energy and a refreshing flavor, without any gut drama. [SHOP 26.2% OFF](https://ucan.co/products/orange-mango-energy-gel) [photo of a box of orange mango ucan energy gels with a pouch next to it](https://ucan.co/products/orange-mango-energy-gel) Grab the same fuel she uses on the course—Orange Mango Edge Gels deliver steady energy and a refreshing flavor, without any gut drama. [photo of a box of orange mango ucan energy gels with a pouch next to it](https://ucan.co/products/orange-mango-energy-gel) [SHOP ORANGE MANGO](https://ucan.co/products/orange-mango-energy-gel) [image of dakotah popehn smiling with a ucan energy gel](https://ucan.co/products/orange-mango-energy-gel) Shop the full UCAN lineup. [TO THE STORE](https://ucan.co/products/orange-mango-energy-gel) https://ucan.co/collections/all No longer want to receive these emails? [Unsubscribe](https://manage.kmail-lists.com/subscriptions/unsubscribe?a=Qy9c4w&c=01KZHR730NPQP6BVXJ6ZSK3PCE&k=3b45eb228a1aeb63726dcba7ddc43b44&se=ucan%40mailspo.com&m=01M4DVT6P7MHKT4F5AFPYFTNVA&r=01M4E8M06YDR7YF3R0JFHZN9BK). The UCAN Company 3000 Whitney Ave PMB 119 Hamden, CT 06518 1f:["$","article",null,{"className":"min-w-0 flex-1 overflow-hidden","aria-label":"Chicago advice from an elite marathoner.","children":[["$","$L27",null,{"emailId":"bc7464ee-8578-4218-8846-43cc01c3f6b2"}],["$","$L28",null,{"email":{"id":"bc7464ee-8578-4218-8846-43cc01c3f6b2","subject":"Chicago advice from an elite marathoner.","previewText":"[UCAN logo blue and white](https://ucan.co/collections/all)\n\n[“Athlete spotlight: Olympic marathoner. 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