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

In this candid episode of The CITIUS MAG Podcast, host Chris Chavez welcomes back elite marathoner CJ Albertson for a deep dive into his evolving approach to training, racing, and personal well-being ahead of the 2026 Boston Marathon. Albertson opens up about a long-standing physiological challenge—chronically low and inverted cortisol levels—that has left him feeling perpetually fatigued and unable to achieve high-intensity workouts despite his elite status. He describes how this hormonal imbalance, which he’s suspected since high school, affects his energy, motivation, and race performance, even as his training logs appear average. With support from Brooks and their physiologist Bridget, Albertson is in a discovery phase, exploring the rhythms of his body rather than chasing traditional metrics. He emphasizes that enjoyment and sustainability are now central to his goals, especially as he looks toward a long-term career beyond the 2028 Olympic trials. The conversation also touches on his evolving race strategy for Boston, where he plans to avoid the front pack and instead race with a mid-pack group, focusing on resilience and experience over time. Albertson reflects on how the sport has changed, the increasing depth of American marathoners, and his personal philosophy: that when the experience is joyful, the results often follow. The episode closes with a lighthearted tangent on Survivor, where Albertson reveals he’s never applied due to the video requirement—though he’d do it if filmed at Hyperion House.