From CARA Training to PUMA Project3: Brett Geschke’s Boston Breakthrough

Brett Geschke - Boston Spotlight

The 129th Boston Marathon took place on Monday, April 21, and marked the debut of PUMA's latest initiative—Project3. This program gave 100 Boston Marathoners a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience life as a professional athlete. Among those selected was CARA's very own Brett Geschke. Following a standout performance and personal best in Boston, we caught up with Brett to hear about his race, the training that led up to it, and what it was like to be a part of PUMA's Project3 experience.

Q: How many years have you run the Boston Marathon? What was your goal going into the weekend?

A: This was my second Boston Marathon. I ran 2:50 in 2023 which was a 5 minute personal record and I thought that just might be the highlight marathon of my life. I trained hard for that marathon with CARA’s Boston Performance program. My main goal going into this weekend was to have a similarly awesome experience like I had in 2023. So, that would ideally include not having to walk up any of the Newton Hills! As part of Project3, PUMA was offering a $3,000 check to anyone in the program that ran a 3 minute PR. I thought I had maybe a 1% chance of running a 2:45 marathon and cashing in, so a more realistic goal was to match that 2:50 time I ran in 2023, or at least break 3 hours for the 6th consecutive marathon.

Q: How long have you been involved with CARA Training programs?

A: I started training with CARA in 2019 for my first marathon. I ran with the 8:30 pace group out of the Lincoln Park site. I had run exactly one half marathon before training for my first marathon, so my first ever training runs of 16, 18, and 20 miles were quite daunting! I felt the “Power Of The Group” in the greatest way while training for that first marathon with CARA – the Site Coordinators, Group Leaders and fellow participants were so encouraging and great sources of wisdom. I remain friends with many of them today! After running 3:33 at the 2019 Chicago Marathon, I thought I was capable of more. I’ve continued to train with CARA over the past 5 years and have PR’d 7 of the 8 marathons I’ve run! The only running coaches I’ve ever had are Coach Bradley and Coach Diamond – they both deserve credit for my consistency.

Q: Tell us about PUMA Project3. What was that experience like for you?

A: After my application was accepted to be part of PUMA’s Project3, it became a unique marathon training block. On an almost weekly basis, shoes, apparel, nutrition, wearable technology, etc. were shipped to my door. Project3-specific meetings with professional runners, mental performance coaches, footwear engineers and PUMA representatives were offered on a weekly basis as well. It felt like PUMA was treating us the same as their sponsored professional runners, right down to the race day kit PUMA provided for us to wear. To be showered in exclusive, elite footwear and gear as a marathoner who is running around a minute slower per mile compared to the pros - it was such a cool once-in-a-lifetime experience that I am so grateful to have been a part of.

Q: What kind of PUMA products did you get to test out and what did you think?

A: The main feature of Project3 was PUMA’s brand new FAST-R Nitro Elite 3 super shoes. When they first arrived at my door, it came with a note saying not to share photos of the shoes on social media or with anyone – there was an embargo on anyone knowing anything about the shoes until Boston Marathon weekend. As a running nerd…how cool is that? It was like being part of a secret club and serving as a beta tester for these shoes that nobody had ever raced a marathon in before. I had run 6 of my prior 7 marathons in Nike Alphaflys, so this was going to be a significant shift in race day footwear for me. I’m not being paid by PUMA to say this: the shoes work. They are 0.375 lbs. per shoe and they feel ridiculously light both in your hands and on your feet. They are similarly springy/bouncy as compared with any other brands’ “super shoe.” I PR’d the Good Life Race 5K a couple weeks before the Boston Marathon wearing the FAST-R 3s, and then ran 2:46 in Boston for a new marathon PR in the same shoes. The FAST-R 3s held up great over the course of 26.2 miles and going up and down the Newton Hills.

Q: What kind of support did you receive from PUMA and their Elite Running Team coaches?

A: PUMA was responsive to all Project3 participants’ specific needs (change in size of shoes and/or apparel, arriving later in Boston than others, etc.) and were truly in our corner as far as wanting everyone to run fast in Boston. During a live Citius Mag podcast at Puma’s Boston HQ, someone asked, “if the FAST-R 3s are so good, is PUMA prepared to write a bunch of $3,000 checks on Monday?” Luke Maher, who ran Project3 for PUMA, emphatically responded “Yes, I am!” I believed him. It was really cool to see a shoe company create a sizable budget to pay sub-elite runners who are finishing well behind the top finishers even if they do PR by 3 minutes. The mental performance coaching that was offered was helpful as far as preparing for race day and visualizing how you are going to successfully run the race. As far as the actual January – April running, I stuck with CARA’s Boston Performance Advanced marathon training plan for the training block because I felt like, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”

Q: You have set a PR twice now in Boston, what advice would you give to those running Boston in the future and how to handle the course?

A: I know there are lots of Unicorns that have run the Boston Marathon far more times than I have, but I have quickly grown to enjoy this course. Before the race, I studied the course elevation profile carefully so there were no surprises while I was out there. The rumors are true: the first four miles feature significant downhill portions. That being said, there are small hills to climb in miles 1, 2 and 3 – don’t let them surprise you! All in all, your mile splits during the first 4 miles should be a little quicker than your planned marathon pace if you are giving honest marathon effort. Miles 5 – 15 are relatively flat – not Chicago flat – but still a nice long stretch to get in a rhythm. Consider picking out another runner going the same pace who looks smooth and tuck in behind them so you can turn your brain off, tick off the miles, and have a little wind blocked for you (drafting) while you’re at it. Mile 15 is just about as downhill as Mile 1 – don’t be afraid to let the hill carry you forward a bit faster. But save your breath, because the hard part of the course approaches. When running Boston, remember “16, 17.5, 19, 20.5” – these are the approximate mile marker beginnings of the four Newton Hills. Everything leading up to Mile 16 was an appetizer for the main course – doing battle with four significant hills that are each approximately ½ mile long. Do not try to maintain your race pace going up the hills! Just like on the downhills at the beginning of the course, give a measured marathon effort going up each hill. You will have approximately 1 mile to recover between each hill – catch your breath, bring your heartrate down a bit, and remember it is a privilege to get the opportunity to climb the Newton Hills during the Boston Marathon. After you crest Heartbreak Hill at Mile 21, it is mercifully downhill to the finish line…but internalize that there are still 5 long miles to go on tired legs. Gauge your effort with how much gas you have left in the tank in order to optimize that final 8K stretch until its “Right on Hereford, Left on Boylston.” I ran a 1:22:55 first half and 1:23:13 second half this year. I ran a negative split in 2023. This course can be handled!

Q: What was your greatest Boston memory from the weekend?

A: The weather this year was sunny and in the mid-to-upper 50s…so pretty great spectating weather! As a result, the crowds were LOUD. The Wellesley Scream Tunnel at Mile 12 was just spectacular. It’s funny – runners will cover both sides of the road for the entire course…but not by the Wellesley Scream Tunnel. There, everyone is in the right lane to soak up the noise and energy coming from all the students. I didn’t give out any kisses this year, but I did give a few dozen high fives (while running a little faster than I should have). The support in all the towns leading up to Boston (Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton and Brookline) is so genuine and appreciated by the runners. Starting in Newton, the crowd noise to the finish line is just constant – and it only gets louder the closer you get to downtown Boston. I’ve been able to pick out my wife and give her a flyby high five at Mile 23 both times I’ve run Boston, so that has been a great little tradition for us to share on race day.

Q: Anyone you would like to thank or give kudos to that has helped you on your running journey?

A: Where to even begin? Sean Murphy, formerly a CARA Lincoln Park Site Coordinator, really fostered a passion for running and instilled a bit of a lifestyle change for me back in 2019. Tim Bradley, who has overseen my running progress for many years, has been a constant supporter and resource for me. James Diamond, who has done a great job leading CARA’s Racing Team and training programs, has helped push me to keep getting faster. Everyone that I’ve run with in the 8:00 pace group out of the Lincoln Park and Montrose sites. Friends who serve on CARA’s Board of Directors with me. CARA Racing Team teammates. My running buddies with the Oak Park Runners Club, many of whom regularly compete on CARA’s Chicago Racing Circuit. Ragnar and Hood To Coast Relay compatriots. Fellow Beer Mile competitors. The Chicago running community has become such an integral and fulfilling part of my life. I’m so appreciative of the support, camaraderie and fellowship that I’ve found with all of you!