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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
• Whether giving runners a medal at 18 miles makes any sense
• The dramatic elite finish decided by 0.01 seconds
• The chaos near the finish when Michael Kamau was briefly disrupted in the final stretch
• And the debate over whether race organizers are doing too much to protect runners — or not enough

Meanwhile, Jacob Kiplimo answered recent controversy in the best way possible, returning to Lisbon and setting an official 57:20 half marathon world record — without pacemakers.

This weekend had everything: world records, race-day controversy, heat safety debates, and one of the wildest marathon finishes you'll ever see.

We want to hear from you:

👉 Does stopping at Mile 18 count as finishing the LA Marathon?

#runningpodcast #lamarathon #marathon #jacobkiplimo #distancerunning #runningnews #worldrecord #running

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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 Running Podcast, we break down:

• What actually happened at mile 11
• Why the lead runners followed the convoy
• The rule that prevented officials from changing the results
• How race organizers responded afterward
• The bigger question: Who should be responsible when a race goes wrong?

Running is supposed to be simple: start, follow the course, finish.
But what happens when the course itself is the problem?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments:
If race organizers make the mistake, should the results still count?

🎙️ About the Podcast
The I Don’t Know Running Podcast is about how we're all learning to run. Whether you're just starting out or you've run hundreds of races, we believe everyone has experiences worth sharing.

🏃 Subscribe for weekly episodes about:
• Running culture
• Race stories and controversies
• Training and community experiences
• The fun (and sometimes frustrating) side of running

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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

Critics say it’s about:
• Brand control
• Broadcast rights
• Protecting official photo revenue

So what is it really?

In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, we break down:

Does a selfie actually create a competitive advantage?

Are age-group athletes being treated like competitors… or customers?

Is this a safety move — or a control move?

Will this hurt Ironman’s brand long-term?

Would YOU risk a DQ for a finish line memory?

At $800+ per race, do you own your experience?

Let us know what you think in the comments.

#Ironman #Triathlon #RunningPodcast #EnduranceSports #RaceDay
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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 — the athlete or the race organizers
• The gray area in World Athletics Technical Rule 6.3.1
• Why this feels different from (but similar to) Kipchoge’s sub-2 marathon
• Super shoes, pacing lights, and how much “assistance” is too much

He still won the race.
He still ran 56:42.
But he’s not the world record holder.

Does that feel right?

We’re curious what you think.

Do you believe World Athletics got this one correct?
Or did they punish the wrong person?

Drop your thoughts below.

🎙 I Don’t Know Running Podcast
Where we share our experiences that make running fun… and sometimes not so fun.

If you enjoy honest running conversations without hype or gatekeeping, consider subscribing and joining the conversation.

Until next time — happy running.

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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:

Running group etiquette (two-abreast awareness)

Shared-use paths and bike path behavior

Corral honesty on race day

Aid station flow

Gel wrappers and micro-trash

Bathroom planning (yes… that conversation)

Traffic laws runners ignore

The “public tolerance budget” for runners

The reality?
Every time a runner blows a red light, startles a walker, tosses trash, or blocks a sidewalk… it affects how the next runner is treated.

So how do we protect the sport we love?

Let’s talk about it.

👇 What’s the biggest etiquette mistake runners make?
Or what’s something you’ve learned over time?

Drop it in the comments.

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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 miles is where the sport shifts into management mode

Why the 100-mile distance is a psychological breaking point (and the DNF reality)

The wild world of 200-mile events: dirt naps, hiking, and multi-day survival

Why the ultra community feels different — and why that matters

⚠️ Note: We reference several stats and percentages that are best understood as directionally accurate (databases vary and participation tracking isn’t perfect). The goal is the big idea: how quickly the field narrows as distance increases.

If you’ve ever wondered “Am I really an ultrarunner?” or felt the pressure of “the next thing”… this one’s for you.

Question for you: What distance felt like the biggest shift for you — marathon, 50K, 50 miles, or 100?

📌 Subscribe for weekly episodes: running conversations that are fun… and sometimes not so fun.
👍 If you enjoyed this, like the video — it helps YouTube show it to more runners.

#runningpodcast #ultrarunning #marathontraining #trailrunning

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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?

How cold, snow, age, stress, and life circumstances skew your data

Why calorie burn numbers are often wildly off

Recovery scores, HRV, and when it’s okay to ignore your watch

Using trends instead of single data points

Learning to trust effort, feel, and experience again

This episode is for runners who love data — but don’t want to be ruled by it. As we age, train through real life, and run in imperfect conditions, expectations need to reset. Your watch is a tool… not the truth.

Listen, question the numbers, and reclaim your training.

🎙️ New episodes available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.
📱 Follow us for more conversations about running — and the things we’re still figuring out.

Until then, happy running. 🏃‍♂️

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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 — where recovery becomes the race

🏃 Running Camps for Adults — skill building, community, and immersive training experiences

We also talk training approaches, fueling strategies, costs, logistics, and the kind of runner each format is best suited for. If you’ve ever felt burned out on traditional races—or just curious what else is out there—this episode is for you.

👉 Question for you:
If you had a free week and anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000, where would you choose to run in 2026?

Drop your answer in the comments 👇

🎙️ The I Don’t Know Running Podcast — honest conversations about running, adventure, and why we keep showing up.

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