Kinda Running for Your Life: Dogs, Snakes & Everything in Between

Kinda Running for Your Life: Dogs, Snakes & Everything in Between

Welcome to episode 49 of the Kinda Fast Podcast, where we talk running, real life, and everything in between. This week’s episode gets a little wild. We break down elimination races, talk about wildlife encounters on runs, and dive into some fascinating endurance research that has the running world talking. In What Does That Even Mean?, we’re talking elimination races…what they are, how they work, and why being the last runner across the line can instantly end your race. In running news: * A new endurance study reveals why women may actually outlast men during long races and ultra events * One-armed high school runner Gabriel Lewis is rewriting record books and inspiring runners across the country * Sarah Hall shares her surprisingly simple trick for keeping easy runs truly easy: singing while you run We also discuss: * Why durability matters in marathon training * How recovery and pacing impact performance late in races * Claire’s recent 5K PR and lessons learned from race day * Travis’ injury update and upcoming marathon training plans We also highlight the Summer Lock-In Challenge, designed to help runners and walkers stay consistent this summer through accountability, encouragement, and community. Learn more here: https://www.upwardrunning.com/lockin [https://www.upwardrunning.com/lockin] Then in the deep dive, we’re talking wildlife encounters while running and what you should actually do if you come face-to-face with an animal mid-run. We talk about: * Dogs chasing runners * Snakes on the trail * Coyotes, bears, deer, and alligators * Real wildlife stories from the Upward Running community * The ultramarathon runner who adopted a stray dog he met during a race in China We wrap things up with race recaps, summer training goals, and a reminder that consistency matters more than perfection. Join the Kinda Fast Community: https://www.upwardrunning.com/kindafast [https://www.upwardrunning.com/kindafast] Use code KINDAFAST for two weeks free inside the RunClub App. If this episode encouraged you, made you laugh, or taught you something new, share it with a friend, and let us know what you want to hear next.

Kinda a Runner Now: From Mile One to Marathons (Ft. Margot)

Welcome to episode 48 of the Kinda Fast Podcast, where we talk running, real life, and everything in between. This week’s episode is a fun one. We break down a simple running term, share a wild multi-sport story, and sit down with a special guest whose journey proves it’s never too late to start. In What Does That Even Mean?, we’re talking tailwinds...what they are and how they can impact your pace, effort, and race day performance. In running news: * An Illinois athlete played a full softball game… then showed up and won a hurdles race, in her softball uniform * New data reveals the average 5K time (39:02) and why that’s actually encouraging for runners at every level We also highlight the Lock In Summer Challenge, starting June 1st, with weekly Thursday meetups focused on accountability, encouragement, and community. Then in the deep dive, we’re joined by Margot, who shares her journey from never running a mile to completing half marathons, marathons, and even an ultra. We talk about: * Starting later in life and overcoming doubt * The moment she realized she was “a runner” * The highs, lows, and lessons from racing * What it’s like to be a pacer and help others hit their goals * How running has shaped her mindset, discipline, and faith We wrap things up with a fun round of This or That and a reminder to just keep showing up,even on the hard days. Join the Kinda Fast Community: https://www.upwardrunning.com/kindafast [https://www.upwardrunning.com/kindafast] Use code KINDAFAST for two weeks free inside the RunClub App. If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend—and let us know what you want to hear next.

Kinda Off Today: Why Some Runs Feel Terrible for No Reason

In this episode of the Kinda Fast Podcast, we’re talking electrolytes, race day chaos, and why some runs just feel terrible...even when your training is going well. We kick things off with a breakdown of electrolytes in our “What Does That Even Mean?” segment. What they are, why they matter, and how they impact your performance—especially in the heat. If you’ve ever dealt with cramping, fatigue, or mid-run crashes, this is something you need to understand. In running news, we cover: -A London Marathon petition that’s trying to change the lottery system, and why it probably won’t make a difference -Chaos at the Houston Astros 5K, where runners were stuck at the finish line due to poor course design -A wild story from the Flying Pig Marathon, where a runner missed her turn and accidentally ran a full marathon… finishing in an impressive 3:30 -A dominant performance at the Cocodona 250, where Rachel Entrekin became the first woman to win the race outright Then in the deep dive, we answer a question every runner has asked: Why do some runs feel so hard for no reason? We break down what’s really going on, including: -Daily performance fluctuations -Sleep and recovery -Hidden fatigue from previous workouts -Stress outside of running -Fueling and hydration -Weather and environmental factors If you’ve been feeling off in your runs lately, this episode will help you understand why—and what to do about it. Join the Upward Running community at upwardrunning.com/kindafast [http://upwardrunning.com/kindafast] and use code KINDAFAST for two weeks free inside the RunClub App.

Kinda Talking About 5 Running Drills for Beginners

Welcome to episode 46 of the Kinda Fast Podcast, the show where we talk running, real life, and everything in between. This week, we’re diving into heart rate training, some absolutely wild London Marathon world records, Boston Marathon talk, and a deep dive into running drills that can help improve your form and efficiency. We kick things off with What Does That Even Mean? and this week’s topic is heart rate training. We break down heart rate zones, why easy runs should actually feel easy, and how learning to run by effort instead of pace can completely change your training. We also talk about why slowing down in the heat and humidity is sometimes the smartest thing you can do as a runner. Then we jump into running news with what we’re calling “London Marathon 2.0” because apparently the world records didn’t stop with the elites. We’re talking marathoners dressed as Captain Underpants, clowns, inflatable costumes, foam clogs, and more. Somehow it only gets weirder from there. We also discuss: • An 11-year-old running a mind-blowing 1:20 half marathon • Why runners may need to brush their teeth after long runs • Travis’ trip to Boston and his firsthand look at the Boston Marathon course • Boston qualifying predictions and the growing BQ buffer • Travis’ recent half marathon race recap and his pursuit of a sub-3 marathon In the deep dive, we break down several running drills that can help improve your running form, efficiency, and speed. We walk through: • Wall drills • A-skips • B-skips • High knees • Straight leg runs • Bonus: butt kicks Whether you’re just getting started or chasing a big running goal, this episode is packed with practical tips, running insight, and plenty of laughs along the way. Use code KINDAFAST for two weeks free inside the RunClub App. If this episode helped you learn something new, share it with a friend, tag us on social media, or send it to someone who needs to stop skipping their running drills. This video contains material used under fair use as defined in Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act for purposes including commentary, criticism, and education. We do not claim ownership of any third-party content used, and we encourage you to support the original creators. Watch the full videos here: Wall Drill: https://youtu.be/P-9xAj-Tw5E?si=eYGCAz6Jsr721LeX [https://youtu.be/P-9xAj-Tw5E?si=eYGCAz6Jsr721LeX] A-Skip: https://youtu.be/0fz4tO3IDzU?si=TY3AtDZx3P7xJgOc [https://youtu.be/0fz4tO3IDzU?si=TY3AtDZx3P7xJgOc] B-Skip: https://youtube.com/shorts/-VFqhJVD2x0?si=CLX5zaSIRsXFxcby [https://youtube.com/shorts/-VFqhJVD2x0?si=CLX5zaSIRsXFxcby] High Knees: https://youtube.com/shorts/MIfuVUeXeTA?si=oZHbeIb0k6ZjaMAX [https://youtube.com/shorts/MIfuVUeXeTA?si=oZHbeIb0k6ZjaMAX] Straight Leg Run: https://youtube.com/shorts/x8Y_nUuiUrU?si=x2ZRndytE0JsG2w_ [https://youtube.com/shorts/x8Y_nUuiUrU?si=x2ZRndytE0JsG2w_] Butt Kicks: https://youtu.be/iMchG_MOF58?si=S2CuuFxscoBFsWKh [https://youtu.be/iMchG_MOF58?si=S2CuuFxscoBFsWKh] Follow for more running drills, tips, and tricks from Chari Hawkins: https://www.youtube.com/@_charihawkins [https://www.youtube.com/@_charihawkins]

Kinda Melting: Sub-2 Marathons, Robots & Running in the Heat

Kinda Fast Podcast | Episode 45: Kinda Melting: Sub-2 Marathons, Robots and Summer Running In this episode of the Kinda Fast Podcast, we are talking running, real life, and everything in between. We kick things off with our “What Does That Even Mean?” segment and break down a term you have probably seen at bigger races but may not fully understand. Corrals. What they are, how they work, and why they matter more than you think on race day. Then we move into running news, and there is a lot to unpack this week. From a historic sub-2 marathon performance to major results at the London Marathon, we talk through what is happening at the top level of the sport and what it means for the future of distance running. We also cover a record-setting NCAA freshman who is quickly becoming one of the most exciting names to watch. And yes, we talk about the robot. A humanoid robot ran a half marathon faster than a human world record. Claire has thoughts. Finally, we dive into one of the most important topics for this time of year. Running in the heat. If your pace has slowed down, your heart rate feels higher, or your runs just feel harder lately, you are not imagining it. We walk through practical ways to adjust your training, stay safe, and continue making progress through the summer months. This episode is packed with helpful tips, real conversations, and a few moments that will make you laugh and think at the same time. In this episode, we cover: * What a race corral is and how it affects your race day experience * A historic sub-2 marathon and standout London Marathon performances * Why some world records are debated * A robot running a half marathon and why it is sparking conversation * NCAA standout Jane Hedengren and her record-breaking season * How heat and humidity impact your running performance * Simple and effective strategies for summer running and hydration Key takeaways for summer running: Run at the right time of day. Respect heat and humidity. Choose shaded routes when possible. Dress for the conditions. Hydrate with intention. Adjust your effort and expectations. Prioritize consistency and safety. This podcast is powered by Upward Running, a community built to help you run with purpose, stay motivated, and find your people. You can join us at upwardrunning.com/kindafast [http://upwardrunning.com/kindafast] and use the code kindafast to get two weeks free. We would love to have you running with us.