Send us a text

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 idea

Runners inhaling so much dust they nearly died

Wagons, dogs, cars, trains… and NOT a closed course

The Cuban runner who arrived in street clothes, ate rotten apples, took a nap, and STILL finished 4th

The man who hitched a car ride, jogged into the stadium, and almost won

The REAL champion… fueled by brandy, egg whites, and rat poison (!!!)

Only 14 of 32 runners finished — the worst completion rate in Olympic history

Why this marathon changed the sport forever

🎧 If you love running lore, bizarre history, or just wild stories — this episode is a must-listen.

👟 Listen & Follow

▶️ YouTube UCTK9nr_UkR1iL2bluka2rTg
🎧 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6UcuyDBShWsLzt3vK6LRyj?si=dcf2f93c6dfb4e50
🎙 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-dont-know-running/id1597602539
💬 Facebook Community https://www.facebook.com/Idontknowrunningpodcast/
🙏 Patreon Supporters — you rock!

Thanks for tuning in!
See you next week as we keep exploring the iconic, historic (and sometimes ridiculous) world of running.
Happy running! 🏃‍♂️💨

Check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IDKR

Support the show

Send us a text

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 appeal
💬 What makes a race worthy of every runner’s bucket list?

Join the conversation and tell us — which marathon do you think has the most history or heart? Drop your answer in the comments, and maybe we’ll feature it in a future episode.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:
👉 Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Patreon

📱 Follow the I Don’t Know Running Podcast:
Instagram | Facebook | Strava Club

Check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IDKR

Support the show

Send us a text

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 traditions in Japan. How does our Western, tech-heavy running culture compare?

Topics in this Episode
🏃‍♂️ Mitch’s comeback + rest day success
🦗 Lewis vs. grasshopper season
⛳ Ultra-golf challenge (92 miles + 810 holes!)
🌍 Exploring global running cultures
🧠 Running as lifestyle vs hobby
🎧 What would runners from other cultures think of our GPS watches, headphones & Strava obsession?

Challenge for listeners:
Try running without your watch or headphones this week — and tell us how it went! 👇

👍 Support the Show
Like, subscribe & share with a running friend
Join us on Patreon to keep the podcast growing!

👇 Comment of the Week

Why do you run? Community? Fitness? Adventure? Therapy? Let us know!

🎙️ Thanks for listening to the I Don’t Know Running Podcast — where we share what we love about running… and all the things we still don’t know.
Happy running! 🏃‍♀️💨

Check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IDKR

Support the show

Send us a text

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: Lone Rock ↔︎ Falcon’s Nest is where times (and spirits) go to die

Nutrition lessons: when nausea hits, salt + broth first; stop sipping only water

Training gap: enough miles for distance, not enough quad conditioning for descents

Mindset tools: how to avoid talking yourself into quitting when you still have time

Would we go back? Yes—100% recommend (with eyes wide open)

Key takeaways for ultrarunners

Start electrolytes early; salt tabs + broth can flip the script

Be radically honest with your crew so they can problem-solve for you

Train the downs (controlled descents, weighted hill repeats)

When the “quit voice” gets loud, sit, reset, fuel, and reassess, not DNF

Finishing is a valid goal—protect it

Shout-outs

Healdsburg Running Company (great stop pre-race)

Aid station crews who wouldn’t let “quit” be easy

The legend Gordy sighting 👀

If you’re eyeing CFC, expect steep, exposed climbs, remote vibes, and beauty for days. We’ll cut a short race film from the crew cam footage soon.

👇 Tell us in the comments: What’s your go-to fix when the wheels come off—broth, salt, coke, or a sit-and-reset?

—
🎧 Listen everywhere: “I Don’t Know Running” Podcast
📸 Follow along on Facebook & Instagram
▶️ Subscribe for weekly episodes, race recaps, and gear talk

#hashtags
#IDontKnowRunning #UltraRunning #100K #CaliforniaFallClassic #DNFtoDNFNT #TrailRunning #EnduranceMindset #RunningPodcast #CrewLife #PrecisionFuel
Check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IDKR

Support the show

Send us a text

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 stress and boost mental health
🏙️ How city life quietly drains us — and what to do about it
👣 Real stories from the trail — including close encounters with deer, snow runs, and mental resets
📱 The surprising impact of blue light and screen time on sleep and recovery

Whether you’re training for your next ultra, stuck in the city grind, or just need a reason to get outside — this episode will remind you why the trails call us back again and again.

🎧 Listen, laugh, and maybe even challenge yourself to a screen-free night before bed.

👉 Subscribe, like, and share this episode to help other runners find peace beyond the pavement.
📍 Follow the California Fall Classic 100K tracking/results here: https://www.ultralive.net/cfc100k#tracking/info

#IDontKnowRunningPodcast #TrailRunning #UltraRunning #CaliforniaFallClassic100K #MentalHealth #NatureTherapy #RunningPodcast #GetOutside

Check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IDKR

Support the show

Send us a text

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 while on vacation — and his incredible recovery story.

What it means to slow down, reevaluate, and find gratitude in the everyday.

A look ahead to the California Fall Classic 100K — training updates, gear talk, and realistic race goals.

A shoutout to Laura for crushing the Mammoth 200 and showing what true endurance looks like.

Check out @TheAthleteSpecial YouTube channel and THIS video for an amazing Half Marathon performance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq1G6ViSEHc

It’s an emotional, funny, and deeply human episode — one that reminds us all that life (and running) can change in an instant, and how community helps us through it.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Have you ever had a health scare that changed your perspective on running or life? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

📲 Follow & Subscribe:

🎧 Spotify / Apple: I Don’t Know Running Podcast

📺 YouTube: youtube.com/@IDontKnowRunning

💬 Facebook: I Don’t Know Running Podcast

Check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IDKR

Support the show

Send us a text

Race registrations used to be simple — mail in a form, get a cotton T-shirt, and go run. But today? It’s a maze of add-ons, cancellation policies, and sneaky fees.

In this episode, Lewis and Mitch break down the true cost of racing — from marathon entry fees that have doubled, to $50 5Ks, to whether those “insurance” and “VIP” packages are even worth it.

We’ll dig into:

How registration sites and convenience fees quietly add up

Why cancellation and deferral policies are so strict

What happens when life (or injury) cancels your race plans

The psychology of “early bird” discounts and upsells

Tips to protect your wallet and still enjoy race day

Whether you’re a first-time racer or a seasoned marathoner, this episode will open your eyes to how much that finish line really costs.

🎧 Listen, laugh, and learn — and maybe think twice before clicking that next “add to cart.”

👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes where we make running fun (and sometimes not so fun).
📱 Follow us on Facebook & Instagram: I Don’t Know Running Podcast
🎙️ Support us on Patreon to keep the miles and laughs coming.

Check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IDKR

Support the show

Send us a text

In this week’s episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch dive deep into a topic every runner struggles with: recovery. From mixing up training with walk/run intervals to recognizing when slowing down actually makes you stronger, they share honest stories, laughs, and research-backed insights about the importance of rest.

We cover:

Why active recovery beats complete rest 🏃‍♂️

The dangers of the “no days off” mentality

How even elites like Kipchoge use slow miles to recover

Practical ways to add recovery into your training without losing fitness

Real experiences with overtraining, numb feet, and the struggle of slowing down

Whether you’re training for your first race or grinding through ultras, this conversation will remind you that recovery isn’t weakness—it’s unseen training.

📊 Did you know? Studies show up to 30% of endurance athletes experience overtraining symptoms at some point, and structured recovery can reduce injury rates by 12–20%.

💬 What’s your go-to recovery method? Share your recovery stories in the comments or on Strava—we’d love to hear them!

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with a fellow runner who needs the reminder that rest is part of the plan.

Check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IDKR

Support the show