I Don't Know Running

Send us Fan Mail

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-de...

Send us Fan Mail

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...

Send us Fan Mail

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 Ru...

Send us Fan Mail

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...

Send us Fan Mail

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...

Send us Fan Mail

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 ca...

Send us Fan Mail

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.

...

Send us Fan Mail

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 s...

Send us Fan Mail

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” mental...

Send us Fan Mail

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 m...

Send us Fan Mail

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...

Send us Fan Mail

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 st...

Send us Fan Mail

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 a...

Send us Fan Mail

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 pos...

Send us Fan Mail

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?

—...

Send us Fan Mail

What kind of runner are you… really?

In this episode, we’re breaking down the different types of running communities—from Marathon Maniacs chasing finish lines to social run crews meeting for coffee, to performance-focused track clubs grinding through workouts.

Because depending on who you run with…
running can feel like a competition, a community, or something in between.

We talk through:

Marathon Maniacs and high-volume racing culture
Social run crews and the rise of community-driven running
Performance clubs and structured training environm...

Send us Fan Mail

Sometimes the conversation around running isn’t about pace, training plans, or race results.

It’s about something deeper than that.

Why are you doing it in the first place?

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch revisit the recent debate around race-day phones and cameras — but this time, they focus on what really stood out:

The responses.

Some runners believe you should “just follow the rules.”
Others argue safety is the priority.
And some take it...

Send us Fan Mail

Did runners really get a marathon medal for only 18 miles?

At the 2026 LA Marathon, race organizers offered runners an early finish at Mile 18 because of extreme heat conditions. Runners who stopped still received a medal — but no official marathon time.

So… does that count as finishing the race?

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch break down one of the strangest weekends in distance running.

Topics include:

• The LA Marathon’s controversial Mile 18 early finish option
• Whet...

Send us Fan Mail

Imagine leading a national championship race with just over a mile to go… and then the lead vehicle sends you the wrong way.

That’s exactly what happened during the 2026 USATF Half Marathon Championship in Atlanta.

With the race nearly decided, the lead convoy turned off the certified course and the front runners followed—costing them nearly two minutes and ultimately the national title. When the athletes protested, officials admitted the course wasn’t properly marked… but the results still stood.

In this episode of the I Don’t Know...

Send us Fan Mail

If you pull out your phone during an Ironman race in 2026… you could be disqualified.

No selfies.
No GoPros.
No smart glasses recording.

Starting March 2, 2026, Ironman has officially banned athletes from recording photos or video while racing. Violation? Immediate DQ.

You can carry your phone.
You can use it for GPS.
You can call for help.

But you cannot actively record your race experience.

Ironman says this is about:
• Athlete safety
• Competitive fairness
• Reducing distractions

Crit...

Send us Fan Mail

He ran 56:42.

He shattered the half marathon world record by 48 seconds.

And it doesn’t count.

World Athletics declined to ratify Jacob Kiplimo’s performance at the Barcelona Half Marathon — not for doping, not for traditional cheating — but because of alleged pacing assistance from the lead vehicle and possible in-race coaching.

So… where’s the line?

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, we talk about:

• Whether drafting behind a lead car should invalidate a record
• Who’s responsible...

Send us Fan Mail

Trail runners talk about Leave No Trace.

But what about road runners?

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, we dive into the unwritten rules of road running — the small behaviors that shape how the public sees runners.

Because running isn’t a solo sport.

Drivers see you.
Walkers see you.
Homeowners see you.
Cyclists see you.

And whether we realize it or not, every runner represents all runners.

We talk about:

Runnin...

Send us Fan Mail

Endurance isn’t a straight line — it’s a steep curve.

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch break down the “endurance curve”: how each distance milestone (5K → marathon → 50K → 50 miles → 100 miles → 200+) filters runners out for totally different reasons. Past a certain point, it stops being “fitness” and becomes life management — nutrition, decision-making, heat, sleep deprivation, and emotional regulation.

We talk about:

Why the marathon is already rare (and what “rare” actually means)

Why 50K is the most “accessible” ultra

Why 50...

Send us Fan Mail

Are your running watch numbers telling you the truth — or just a convincing story?

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, we dig into what your watch can tell you… and where it quietly gets things wrong. From heart rate and VO₂ max to calorie burn, recovery time, and HRV, we talk about why wearable data often feels precise — but isn’t always accurate.

We cover:

Why wrist-based heart rate can spike or “cadence lock”

VO₂ max: badge of honor or educated guess?

Send us Fan Mail

What if your next running goal wasn’t about a PR… but about the experience?

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch talk through non-traditional running events that are less about racing the clock and more about racing the landscape, navigating terrain, and building unforgettable memories.

We dive into:

🧭 Adventure Racing — team-based navigation, trekking, biking, paddling, and thinking your way through the course

✈️ Runcations — guided running adventures in incredible places like Japan, the Alps, and beyond

🏕️ Multi-Day Stage Races...

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, we dig into a question a lot of long-distance runners quietly wonder about:

What does ultrarunning actually do to your body over the long term?

This isn’t an episode meant to scare anyone away from endurance sports. Instead, we talk honestly about what science does know, what it doesn’t, and how real runners experience these things in real life.

We discuss:

Send us Fan Mail

Winter running hits different in Michigan—one day you’re “getting it done,” the next you’re sliding around wondering why you even left the house. 😅

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch get into a super practical (and slightly ranty) conversation about treadmills:

Why so many treadmills turn into $2,000 clothes hangers

The real reason specs matter: body weight, impact, and durability

What “CHP” (continuous horsepower) actually means for runners

Used vs. new: when Marketplace is a steal… and when i...

Send us Fan Mail

What do your running dreams actually mean?

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch dive into the strange, vivid, and sometimes stressful dreams runners experience — from being late to the starting line, to legs that won’t move, to those magical dreams where you’re flying effortlessly down the trail.

We explore how sleep, training load, stress, and recovery all influence dream content, and what those dreams might be telling you about your performance, fatigue, and overall health. Is it anxiety? Adaptation? Overtrai...

Send us Fan Mail

Pacing isn’t just about splits, GPS watches, or fitness — it’s about decision-making under stress.

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch dive deep into the psychology of pacing and why so many runners blow up before fatigue ever truly sets in. From race-day adrenaline and comparison traps to fear-based pacing and watch obsession, we unpack the mental mistakes that quietly sabotage great races.

But this episode goes beyond running.

We explore how mindful pacing — patience, restraint, awareness, and emotional...

Send us Fan Mail

Running in your 50s is different—and that’s not a bad thing.

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, we talk honestly about what changes as runners get older: slower recovery, new aches and pains, declining speed, shifting motivation, and learning to let go of chasing PRs. We also share what still works, what needs to change, and how adjusting expectations can actually make running more enjoyable and sustainable.

We cover:

- Why speed and VO₂ max decline with age (and why it’s nor...

Send us Fan Mail

Winter is here, the roads are icy, and somehow our houses are falling apart — so naturally, we decided to talk about Christmas gifts for runners 🎄🏃‍♂️

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch break down the best gift ideas for runners at every price point, from easy stocking stuffers to big-ticket items you only buy for someone you really love (or yourself).

We cover:

Budget-friendly stocking stuffers every runner actually uses

Cold-weather essentials like base layers, gloves, and traction

Mid-ran...

Send us Fan Mail

How far do you really have to go before you’re “remote”?
Spoiler: not as far as you think.

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running podcast, Lewis and Mitch talk about how quickly a simple run, walk, or short hike can turn into a serious situation when you’re underprepared—whether you’re a mile from the house, on a local trail, or dropping down to the Western States Trail after a race.

What starts as a story about a windy walk with the grandkids and...

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch dive deep into the hilarious, confusing, and sometimes awkward language barrier between runners and non-runners. From “easy runs” that aren’t actually easy, to why runners own more shoes than they have feet, we unpack the quirks that make running culture so unique.

Mitch also shares updates on his string of doctor visits, the ongoing search for answers, and what it’s like getting back into running slowly — only to be met with well-meaning comments like “At least you’re o...

Send us Fan Mail

Lewis and Mitch hit record deep in a gray fog, fresh off mid-day naps and low brainpower… so of course they talk about the thing that keeps ultrarunners going when everything feels bleak: aid station food.

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running podcast, they break down the classic, the weird, and the downright magical foods that can save your race—from salty potatoes and pickle juice to Coke, ramen, grilled cheese, and mashed potatoes. They share stories from races like Tunnel Hill, Woodstock, Kettle Moraine, Javalina, and more...

Send us Fan Mail

This week on the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch dive into one of the wildest, most chaotic, and downright unbelievable events in running history: the 1904 St. Louis Olympic Marathon.

But first… Lewis got NEW CONTACTS and he’s telling literally everyone. 😂
Mitch tries to keep him on track (he fails), but eventually they shift gears into the true highlight of this episode: a marathon so outrageous it sounds fictional.

🔥 Inside This Episode:

Why starting a marathon at 3:00 PM in August is a horrible ide...

Send us Fan Mail

What makes a marathon truly iconic? Is it the history, the challenge, the crowds — or the story behind the miles?

In this episode, Lewis and Mitch explore the most historic and legendary marathons from around the world. From the ancient origins of the race in Greece to modern greats like Boston, London, Chicago, and New York, they unpack what makes these events so meaningful to runners everywhere.

🏛️ The Ancient Athens Marathon — where it all began
🏃‍♂️ Boston & Yonkers — America’s oldest races
🌍 London, Chicago, Marine Corps & more — global legends with timeless appea...

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Lewis survives grasshopper season 🌱🦗 and discovers a wild new fitness challenge — combining golf and an ultra run. Yes… someone ran 92 miles and played 810 holes of golf in 24 hours. New life goal? Maybe. 😅

Meanwhile, Mitch celebrates a BIG win — not running today — and reflects on rebuilding fitness, embracing rest, and hitting his first 5-mile run again. 👏

Then, we dive into the Running Paradox: how different cultures view running — from spiritual journeys in the Himalayas, to barefoot ultrarunners in Mexico, to elite Kenyan and Ethiopian communities, and the disciplined relay trad...

Send us Fan Mail

We went all-in on the California Fall Classic 100K—remote aid, relentless climbing, and a day that turned into a masterclass in ultra mindset. Lewis ran ~50 miles (≈11,000 ft gain) before pulling the plug at Warm Springs, and this episode is the honest debrief: what went right, what tanked, and how to fix it next time.

What’s inside

Course reality check: almost no flat; it’s either up or down

Crew logistics: easy to crew, minimal cell service, simple station access

The hard middle...

Send us Fan Mail

This week on the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch are soaking in race week vibes — the California Fall Classic 100K is here, and Lewis hopes he’s celebrating a finish by the time you hear this one!

Between healthy-eating jokes, beet salad debates, and a surprise virtual 100-miler signup attempt 🤣, the guys dive into something we all need more of: getting off the pavement and finding peace on the trails.

Join them as they unpack:
🌲 Why trail running (and time in nature) is proven to lower str...

Send us Fan Mail

This week’s episode takes a very real — and unexpected — turn.
Lewis and Mitch dive into the chaos of everyday running life, from impatient drivers to moments of pure kindness on the road. But what starts as a lighthearted chat quickly becomes a powerful conversation when Mitch opens up about a sudden stroke that changed everything.

🎙️ In This Episode:

The growing rush of drivers — and how runners can stay safe.

The surprising kindness of strangers (and how we sometimes react).

Mitch’s frightening stroke experience whil...