Patrick Cullen Calls His Shot: 2:06 at Chicago, Treadmill Training, and a Bold Marathon Breakthrough

On the LetsRun.com Track Talk podcast in Chicago, the hosts discuss the recent “treadmill craze” in running and bring on Patrick Cullen, who publicly predicted on LetsRun that he’ll run 2:06 at the Chicago Marathon despite a current 2:12 PB. Cullen explains he has trained heavily on treadmills for years, believes his Gold Coast 63:xx half and marathon issues were largely fueling-related, and says working with coach/agent James McCurdy has improved his fueling and marathon-pace work. He outlines plans to run even splits with a 2:06–2:07 pace group and says the forecast won’t change his pace. Cullen recounts limited college success due to poor speed but strong mileage (often 110+; 140–150 in this build), his path from Northeastern to a brief FSU stop to BYU, and how he chose ASICS Metaspeed Edge shoes while DoorDashing and living at home, plus details of fast treadmill workouts and equipment.
00:00 Introducing Patrick Cullen
01:25 The 206 Chicago Claim
02:00 Fueling Fixes and Training
03:10 Pacing Plans and Weather
05:02 From Slow to High Mileage
06:55 College Transfers to BYU
09:43 Why Go Public on LetsRun
10:57 No Sponsor and Shoe Choice
13:24 Treadmill Speed Secrets
15:20 Wrap Up and Support the Show