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If a group run starts at 6:30 AM, what does that actually mean?

Are your shoes tied, GPS connected, and feet moving at 6:30 sharp? Or is 6:30 just the time everyone starts rolling into the parking lot, looking for their hydration vest, hitting the bathroom, and finishing breakfast?

In this episode of The I Don’t Know Running Podcast, we’re talking about punctuality, running etiquette, and all the unwritten rules that come with running with other people.

We get into the chronically late running partner, the person who needs another 15 minutes after they arrive, whether there should be a grace period, and at what point it becomes perfectly acceptable to just start running without them.

But this goes beyond simply being late.

What happens when someone turns an easy run into a workout? When the group agrees on 12 miles and somebody suddenly wants to run 16? Or when one runner’s schedule starts affecting everyone else’s morning?

At the heart of it is a pretty simple question:

When you agree to run with someone, what exactly have you agreed to?

And of course, we need your help settling the big one:

If the run is scheduled for 6:30 AM, what time should your feet actually start moving?

Let us know in the comments — and tell us your best story about a running partner who was always late.

Thanks for listening to the I Don't Know Running Podcast.

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South Dakota, State #48, and a Finish Line Beer Scare

It took three years to finally get to South Dakota.

Between weather cancellations, injuries, health issues, deferrals, and travel problems, this race had already turned into a story long before the starting line.

Then race day actually happened.

And of course it came with bad food-truck decisions, confusing race logistics, camera issues, chafing, a surprisingly humid morning, and a finish line beer that was almost taken away.

In this episode, we talk about what it took to finally make this race happen, why South Dakota became state number 48, and what the Sioux Falls Marathon was actually like once Mitch finally got there.

We also get into the course itself, the race setup, the hotel and travel logistics, the unexpected little hills, the zoo sightings on course, and the kind of race-day moments that somehow become the most memorable part of the trip.

And along the way, Lewis gives an update on finally getting his MRI and where things stand with his knee.

Sometimes the biggest win is just finally making it to the starting line.

Have you ever had a race that took years to finally happen, or a race weekend that turned into more of an adventure than you expected?

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We had a plan: two runners, two cameras, and 10 brutal miles on the legendary T-Rex trail.

Then reality showed up.

Between Lewis’s nagging knee, an Achilles that still isn’t quite right, and training that didn’t exactly go according to plan, the T-Rex 10 Miler suddenly seemed like a pretty bad idea.

So we did the only logical thing.

We signed up for the 4.2-mile race called… **The Whimpy.**

In this episode, we talk about the pre-race negotiations, why we finally decided to drop down, what makes the real T-Rex course so ridiculously difficult, and why choosing the easier race ended up being the right call.

We also look back at some of the history and personality of the T-Rex, from rope-assisted climbs and fallen trees to false summits, course mishaps, and the kind of trail-race stories that become part of the event.

And yes, we still brought the cameras.

Sometimes race day isn’t about proving how tough you are. Sometimes the win is simply knowing when to change the plan.

Have you ever had to drop down in distance, turn a race into a walk, or completely change your plans on race morning?

Thanks for listening to the **I Don't Know Running Podcast**.

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Where are runners actually supposed to run?

The sidewalk keeps you away from cars—but it’s uneven, cracked, and sometimes feels like it’s actively trying to trip you. The road is smoother—but now you’re sharing space with distracted drivers. Single-track trails are beautiful—but roots, rocks, and technical terrain bring their own risks. And multi-use paths seem like the perfect solution… until a cyclist blows past without warning.

In this episode of the **I Don’t Know Running Podcast**, Lewis and Mitch break down the good, bad, and frustrating parts of the surfaces runners use every day.

We talk about sidewalk wipeouts, close calls with cars, why Lewis has become more selective about technical trails, and a couple of recent encounters with high-speed cyclists on shared paths.

There may not be one “best” place to run. Sometimes it comes down to knowing the risks, making a good judgment call, and remembering that almost every place we run is being shared with somebody else.

**What’s your preferred running surface: road, sidewalk, single track, or multi-use path? And what’s your worst close-call story?**

Thanks for listening to the **I Don’t Know Running Podcast**, where we share what we’ve learned, what we’re still figuring out, and what we just don’t know.

Thanks for listening to the **I Don't Know Running Podcast**.

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You train for months. You survive the race. You cross the finish line, grab your medal...and discover you're officially a FINSHER.

Yep. Missing the "I."

And somehow, that's only the beginning.

This week on the I Don't Know Running Podcast, we're diving into some of the funniest, strangest, and most unbelievable race-day mistakes we've seen.

We're talking about thousands of misspelled finisher medals, runners getting medals featuring the wrong city, marketing ideas that probably should have gone through one more round of proofreading, and the wonderfully bizarre Barkley Marathons tradition of choosing a "human sacrifice."

Then we get to the mistakes runners make themselves—including what happens when you start celebrating before you've actually crossed the finish line.

Some of these mistakes became controversies. Some became instant collector's items. And some might actually make the race more memorable than if everything had gone perfectly.

🎙️ In this episode:
• The 2026 River Bank Run "FINSHER" medals
• Milwaukee's accidental "MARTHON" medals
• The Great North Run's wrong-city ribbon
• The controversial "One Nation, One Race" merchandise
• Barkley Marathons and the Human Sacrifice
• A race decided by a premature celebration and just 0.2 seconds
• The high school finish-line celebration that resulted in a DQ

What's the funniest or strangest race-day mistake you've ever experienced?

Let us know in the comments!

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Western States gets the attention, the massive lottery numbers, the elite fields, and the biggest spotlight in ultrarunning. But does that actually make it the greatest 100-mile race—or is Hardrock the more demanding, more exclusive, and more unforgettable challenge?

In this episode, we compare two of the most iconic races in the sport. We break down the entry process, lottery demand, field sizes, altitude, elevation gain, course records, and the completely different experiences each race creates.

We also dive into this year’s Hardrock 100, including Ludovic Pommeret’s age-defying performance, Courtney Dauwalter’s painful march to another victory, Tara Dower’s incredible Western States–Hardrock double, and the dramatic final finisher who kissed the rock with less than six minutes remaining.

Western States may be the Super Bowl of ultrarunning—but is Hardrock its Everest?

Let us know: If you could only run one, which would you choose?

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Marathon #180 is complete... and somehow it turned into one of the most memorable races yet.

After months of medical setbacks, almost no training, and serious doubts heading into Alaska, I was convinced this was going to be another difficult marathon. Instead, the Mayor's Marathon in Anchorage became a reminder that running isn't always about fitness or finishing times.

Sometimes it's about adapting.
Sometimes it's about the people you meet.
And sometimes it's about simply proving to yourself that you can still keep moving forward.

In this episode, we talk about:

Why Alaska almost didn't happen
The medical issues leading into race day
The strategy that unexpectedly worked
The fellow 50 Stater who helped make the final miles disappear
Why the Mayor's Marathon is one of the most underrated races in the country
Marathon #180 and the countdown to completing all 50 states

With only South Dakota, Georgia, and Hawaii remaining, the finish line of this journey is finally coming into view.

If you've ever stood on a starting line wondering whether you belonged there, this episode is for you.

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The 2026 Western States 100 wasn't just another edition of America's most iconic ultramarathon—it completely rewrote the history books.

Jim Walmsley's legendary course record that many thought might stand for years? Gone.

Courtney Dauwalter's iconic women's record? Gone too.

Four men ran faster than the previous course record. Jennifer Lichter became the fastest woman in Western States history in her very first 100-mile race. Meanwhile, trail-running legends Jim Walmsley and Kilian Jornet never even reached the finish line.

In this episode of the *I Don't Know Running Podcast*, we're breaking down one of the most astonishing days ultrarunning has ever seen.

We'll discuss:
• How Vincent Bouillard became the first runner ever under 14 hours.
• Jennifer Lichter's record-breaking debut and what it means for women's ultrarunning.
• Hans Troyer's fearless early attack that changed the entire race.
• Why so many favorites—including Walmsley and Jornet—ended with DNFs.
• The incredible depth of both the men's and women's fields.
• And the question everyone is already asking...

Will Courtney Dauwalter come back to reclaim her Western States crown?

If you love trail running, ultramarathons, or simply witnessing history in our sport, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

🎧 New episodes every week from the *I Don't Know Running Podcast*.

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A hot race forecast sends a lot of runners into panic mode.

Suddenly they're running in sweatshirts, avoiding air conditioning, cutting back on water, and trying to cram heat training into the final two weeks before race day.

But does it actually work?

In this episode of the I Don't Know Running Podcast, we dive into one of the most misunderstood topics in endurance sports: heat training.

We discuss:
🏃 Why last-minute heat training usually backfires
💧 The difference between heat adaptation and dehydration
🔥 When heat acclimation actually works
⚠️ The real risks of severe dehydration and heat illness
📉 Why most runners would benefit more from better sleep, hydration, and consistent mileage
🎯 Practical strategies for handling hot race conditions safely

Most importantly, we introduce a simple rule:

If you don't know what you're doing... just don't.

Sometimes the smartest race strategy isn't finding a miracle solution—it's slowing down, adjusting expectations, and respecting the conditions.

What about you? Have you ever changed your race plan because of a hot forecast? Have you had a race fall apart because of the heat?

Let us know in the comments.

#Running #MarathonTraining #HeatTraining #RunningPodcast #Marathon #Ultrarunning #EnduranceSports #RunningTips

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A high school relay team wins the state championship... or so everyone thought.

At the North Carolina High School State Championships, Mallard Creek's anchor runner crossed the finish line with a comfortable lead and raised his hand in celebration. Moments later, officials disqualified the team.

Not for a false start.
Not for an illegal handoff.
Not for leaving his lane.

For raising his hand before the finish line.

The decision erased the relay victory and changed the outcome of the entire state championship meet, sparking a nationwide debate about sportsmanship, celebration, and whether officials got this one right.

In this episode, Lewis and Mitch break down the video, the rule, the reasoning behind the disqualification, and the bigger question:

Where is the line between celebrating and taunting?

🎙️ The I Don't Know Running Podcast

#Running #TrackAndField #HighSchoolTrack #RelayRace #RunningPodcast #Sportsmanship #TrackNation #CrossCountry #DistanceRunning #IDKR

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When you sign up for a race, you expect a measured course, water stations, timing chips, and a finish line waiting for you.

But that's not always what happens.

In this episode of the I Don't Know Running Podcast, we dive into some of the biggest race disasters in running history—from marathons that were too short to count as Boston Qualifiers, to races that disappeared entirely after collecting entry fees.

We also discuss empty water stations, open-course nightmares, ghost races, virtual race pivots, and how runners can spot potential red flags before signing up.

Some race stories are inspiring.

These are not those stories.

🎙️ Topics include:

Short-course marathon scandals
Lost Boston Qualifiers
Ghost races and canceled events
Empty aid stations
Open-course racing risks
Back-of-the-pack horror stories
How to spot a shady race before race day

Have you ever had a race go completely wrong?

Let us know in the comments.

#IDontKnowRunning #RunningPodcast #Marathon #BostonQualifier #RaceDay

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This week on the I Don't Know Running Podcast, we dive into the emotional roller coaster of the Bayshore Marathon through the stories of four very different runners.

One ran purely for fun.

One fought to keep a Boston Marathon qualifying streak alive.

One accidentally qualified thanks to an upcoming age-group change.

And one runner achieved what many marathoners spend years chasing: a sub-3-hour marathon.

The catch?

A 2:59 marathon may still not be enough to get into Boston.

We break down the reality of modern Boston Marathon qualifying, the brutal cutoff times, why the 18–34 age group faces unique challenges, and the new rules aimed at downhill "BQ hunting" races.

Most importantly, we ask a bigger question:

Has the pursuit of Boston become a numbers game, or is the exclusivity exactly what makes it special?

Let us know what you think:
Is Boston's gatekeeping good for the sport, or has the qualifying process gone too far?

#Running #Marathon #BostonMarathon #BQ #BayshoreMarathon #Sub3 #MarathonTraining #RunningPodcast

🎙️ IDK Running Podcast

#running #marathon #londonmarathon #guinnessworldrecords #ultrarunning #podcast
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Sometimes marathon running stops being about speed…

…and starts becoming something completely different.

Because somehow, over a MILLION people apply to run the London Marathon…

and some of the people who get in decide to run it:

in jeans
in full business suits
in wooden clogs
in four-inch heels
or dressed as Thomas the Tank Engine.

In this episode, we dive into some of the strangest — and strangely impressive — marathon world records ever set.

From sub-2:40 marathons in dress shoes…
to zombie world records…
to groups of runners literally tethered together for 26.2 miles…

these stories somehow get more absurd the deeper you go.

And the craziest part?

A lot of these runners are still faster than most marathoners in normal gear.

—

Topics include:

London Marathon Guinness World Records
Marathon costume world records
Fastest marathon in jeans
Fastest marathon in a suit
Thomas the Tank Engine marathon runner
Weird endurance sports records
Guinness World Records running
Extreme marathon stories

—

🎙️ IDK Running Podcast

#running #marathon #londonmarathon #guinnessworldrecords #ultrarunning #podcast
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The Cocodona 250 might be the most insane ultramarathon in America.

250 miles across Arizona.
Nearly 39,000 feet of climbing.
Multiple days with almost no sleep.
Hallucinations.
Desert heat.
Mountain cold.
And runners pushing themselves far beyond what most people think is possible.

In this episode, we break down:

the rise of Cocodona 250
Rachel Entrekin making history by winning the entire race outright
the brutal physical reality of ultra running
Andy Glaze and the “Smile or You’re Doing It Wrong” mentality
the emotional Golden Hour finishers
and the deeper question behind all of it…

Why do people willingly do something this hard?

—

If you enjoy running conversations that go beyond splits and race times, subscribe and join us for more episodes every week.

—

#running #ultrarunning #cocodona250 #trailrunning #ultramarathon #runningpodcast
🎧 I Don’t Know Running Podcast
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For decades, the sub-2-hour marathon felt impossible.

At the 2026 London Marathon, that changed forever.

Sabastian Sawe became the first man to officially break two hours with a 1:59:30 world record… but somehow that wasn’t even the whole story. Yomif Kejelcha also went under two hours in the same race, while Jacob Kiplimo still ran faster than the previous world record and only finished third.

Then, while the world focused on London, something unbelievable happened in Toledo, Ohio.

A self-coached runner with no shoe deal, no major sponsor, and no marathon experience showed up at Glass City Marathon and ran 2:05:54 in his debut marathon — becoming the 4th-fastest American marathoner ever.

In this episode, we break down:

The first official sub-2 marathon
How London 2026 shattered expectations
The role of super shoes, fueling, and pacing
Why this may be the biggest leap forward in running history
Vinny Mauri’s shocking American marathon debut
And the growing debate around technology and fairness in the sport

This wasn’t just a fast race.

It felt like a turning point.

#running #marathon #londonmarathon #sub2 #eliudkipchoge #trackandfield #distanceRunning
—

🎧 I Don’t Know Running Podcast
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Sometimes a race gets canceled…

and no matter what the reason is,
someone’s going to be upset.

In this episode, we’re breaking down the Carmel Marathon cancellation—and the bigger question behind it.

Should races cancel early to protect runners…
or wait and risk making the wrong call?

Because the reality is:
there’s no perfect answer.

We talk through the race director’s perspective, the runner’s frustration, and the growing divide between the two.

From last-minute cancellations…
to early decisions that look wrong in hindsight…
to the real cost of logistics, safety, and expectations.

And maybe the biggest question of all:

What should the right call actually be?

—

🎙️ Topics we cover:

Why race directors can’t “just delay it”
Early cancellation vs race-day decisions
The mental impact on runners
Travel, cost, and real-world frustration
“Run it anyway” mentality
Virtual races vs real races
What a better policy might actually look like

—

This isn’t about blaming one side.

It’s about understanding the reality behind the decision.

—

👇 We want to hear from you:

If you were the race director…
what would you do?

Cancel early?
Or wait and take the risk?

—

🎧 I Don’t Know Running Podcast
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What happens when finishing isn’t guaranteed?

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Mitch shares the story behind one of the hardest races of his life—the Jersey City Marathon.

On paper, it doesn’t stand out.
6 hours and 12 minutes. His slowest marathon ever.

But what led up to this race is what makes it different.

Over the last few years, Mitch has dealt with:

a herniated disc
heart monitoring and health scares
Achilles surgery
a stroke
and just days before the race… a bladder stone

He didn’t feel ready.
He didn’t think he could finish.

But he showed up anyway.

From last-minute travel chaos and questionable race-day decisions… to battling tunnel vision, exhaustion, and doubt in the final miles—this is a story about pushing forward when everything says stop.

And somehow… marathon #179 became one of the most meaningful finishes of his life.

🎧 Listen in as we break down:

the mental battle behind the race
what it actually feels like to hit the wall
why this finish meant more than any PR
and what comes next on the journey to all 50 states

If you’ve ever questioned whether you could keep going… this one’s for you.

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In 2019, it felt like women in sport had forced a turning point.

When Alysia Montaño, Kara Goucher, and Allyson Felix spoke publicly about pregnancy-related sponsorship penalties, major brands promised change.

Contracts changed. Protections were added. The sport moved forward… or did it?

In this episode, we unpack the “Pregnancy Penalty,” the recent controversy involving Emma Bates and UCAN, and a bigger question:

Did this problem go away… or did it just move into the fine print?

This isn’t just a conversation about one athlete or one brand.

It’s about what the sport values, what contracts protect, and whether pregnancy is still treated as a risk in professional running.

👇 What do you think?
Should sponsors be required to protect athletes through pregnancy, no matter the circumstances? Let us know in the comments.

#RunningPodcast #EmmaBates #AllysonFelix #KaraGoucher #AlysiaMontano #WomenInSport #RunningNews #Marathon #TrackAndField #PregnancyPenalty

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Sometimes the hardest part of a marathon…
isn’t the running.

It’s everything that happens around it.

After hearing about a bizarre finish at a marathon earlier this year—where the race leader was literally sent the wrong way just meters before the finish—we started digging into how often things like this actually happen.

And it turns out… it’s not rare.

In this episode, we talk through some of the strangest and most unexpected moments in marathon history—from officials interfering at the worst possible time, to historic controversies, to moments where the line between competition and compassion gets blurred.

Some of these are frustrating.
Some are unbelievable.
And some are just… weird.

But they all raise the same question:

👉 How much of a race is actually in your control?

—

🎙️ Topics we cover:

The 2026 marathon finish controversy
Katherine Switzer and the 1967 Boston Marathon
The 1908 Olympic marathon chaos
When helping a runner becomes disqualification
Marathon cheating and bizarre race behavior
The strange role of spectators, officials, and outside interference

—

If you’ve ever run a race—or even just watched one—this episode might change how you see the finish line.

—

👇 We’d love to hear from you:
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever seen during a race?

—

🎧 Thanks for listening to the I Don’t Know Running Podcast
We’ll see you next time.

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Why would an everyday runner cheat in a race?

Not elites.
Not professionals.

Just… normal people.

In this episode, we take a look at the strange and surprisingly relatable psychology behind cheating in running—from cutting courses and bib swapping to chasing Strava validation and Boston qualifiers.

This isn’t just about the stories.

It’s about the why.

Because at some level, most runners have faced the same question:

What matters more… finishing fast, or finishing honestly?

—

We also talk through:

• The infamous Rosie Ruiz Boston Marathon scandal
• The “porta potty time machine” ultra cheat
• Why social media may be fueling bad decisions
• How runners actually get caught today
• And what cheating really takes away from others

—

At the end of the day, the real finish line might not be the tape…

It might be who you choose to be when no one’s watching.

—

💬 Let us know:

Have you ever been tempted to cut a corner?

—

🎙️ The I Don’t Know Running Podcast
Real conversations about running—what works, what doesn’t, and everything in between.

—

#RunningPodcast #Marathon #RunningCommunity #Strava #BostonMarathon #RunningMotivation
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