It’s the final episode of Off The Rails for 2025. In this episode: – The joy of being home, sleeping in your own bed, and why buying a mattress for your in-laws might be elite holiday behavior – Casper vs. Costco mattresses and Aisha accidentally starting a comfortable sleep revolution – Anti-nap club vs. people with the terrifying ability to nap anywhere, anytime – Snoring horror stories from training camps, Olympic Villages, and the loudest roommates imaginable – Mouth taping, deviated septums, and why some sleep trends should come with warning labels – Eric’s ideal sleep setup – Holiday recaps from Boulder and the Jenkins household, including white Christmases, Scandinavian food traditions, and Boxing Day chaos – World Cross Country Championships are 13 days away and nobody is talking about it – Breaking down the newly revealed World Cross course featuring bridges, sand, water pits, mud pits, hay bales, and fake alligators – Why World Cross is the hardest race in the sport (and possibly turning into a Tough Mudder) – A full primer on World Cross: distances, formats, mixed relays, and why it’s such a brutal championship – Previewing the 2026 men’s and women’s fields, including Jacob Kiplimo, Beatrice Chebet, and other global stars – The full U.S. squads and what a “great day” realistically looks like for American athletes – A brief history lesson on the last Americans to podium at World Cross – Why hosting World Cross on U.S. soil actually matters – Announcement: Eric and Aisha are racing a 4K at World Cross – Race strategy debates, obstacle-course anxiety, and who’s getting left behind in the mud – ASICS gear chatter, spike panic, and Achilles-preservation strategies – Someone admits they would fail a drug test spectacularly – How contract years actually work in track and field and why early-season races are basically job interviews – Why kit reveals, sponsorship switches, and brand changes are way messier than fans realize – The NCAA story involving a collegiate runner fundraising to stay in school — and the baffling eligibility consequences that followed 📞 Call in to (856) 279-0080 to leave us a voicemail with any question you may have, whether it’s running-related or not. 📲 Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or follow the show on Spotify to stay up-to-date with all the latest episodes. Follow your hosts on Instagram: 🗣️ Follow Eric Jenkins: @_ericjenkins 🗣️ Follow Aisha Praught-Leer: @aishapraughtleer SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS 🏃 WAHOO: The KICKR RUN isn’t just another treadmill; it’s a complete rethink of indoor running. With Dynamic Pacing, it automatically adjusts to your stride—no buttons, no breaking form, just pure running freedom. Its Terrain Simulation makes the deck feel like a track or trail, while lateral tilt mimics real-world conditions so you’re always prepared for race day. So whether you’re chasing your first half-marathon finish, a marathon PR, or your next trail adventure, the KICKR RUN is built to help you Run Your Run. Check it all out at WahooFitness.com and use code CITIUS at checkout. ---- ⚠️ WARNING ⚠️ Listening to “Off The Rails with Eric and Aisha” while running may result in uncontrollable laughter, side stitches, funny looks from strangers, and the occasional trip hazard due to snort-laughing mid-stride. Proceed with caution—and maybe stretch your abs beforehand. Use caution when wearing earbuds in public places—people will wonder if you’re okay. You are. You’re just having a really good time.
