I Don't Know Running

Lewis Hayden and Mitch Brouwer
  • 4.7 (15)
  • Running
  • Updated Weekly

The I Don't Know Running podcast is about how we're all learning to run in some way or another. Whether you're just starting to run a mile or you've ran 100's of marathons and are now in the ultra world, this is for you. We all continue to learn and have something to share. So join us in the discussion and help us make everyone's running experience better. We will talk about our experiences, your experiences, gear, races, and much more.

  1. 4d ago

    Western States 100 Just Changed Ultrarunning Forever | Episode 215

    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 Running Podcast*, we're breaking down one of the most astonishing days ultrarunning has ever seen. We'll discuss: • How Vincent Bouillard became the first runner ever under 14 hours. • Jennifer Lichter's record-breaking debut and what it means for women's ultrarunning. • Hans Troyer's fearless early attack that changed the entire race. • Why so many favorites—including Walmsley and Jornet—ended with DNFs. • The incredible depth of both the men's and women's fields. • And the question everyone is already asking... Will Courtney Dauwalter come back to reclaim her Western States crown? If you love trail running, ultramarathons, or simply witnessing history in our sport, this is an episode you won't want to miss. 🎧 New episodes every week from the *I Don't Know Running Podcast*. Check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IDKR Support the show

    27 min

  2. Jun 21

    Heat Training Might Be Ruining Your Race | Episode 214

    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 acclimation actually works ⚠️ The real risks of severe dehydration and heat illness 📉 Why most runners would benefit more from better sleep, hydration, and consistent mileage 🎯 Practical strategies for handling hot race conditions safely Most importantly, we introduce a simple rule: If you don't know what you're doing... just don't. Sometimes the smartest race strategy isn't finding a miracle solution—it's slowing down, adjusting expectations, and respecting the conditions. What about you? Have you ever changed your race plan because of a hot forecast? Have you had a race fall apart because of the heat? Let us know in the comments. #Running #MarathonTraining #HeatTraining #RunningPodcast #Marathon #Ultrarunning #EnduranceSports #RunningTips Check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IDKR Support the show

    28 min

  3. Jun 14

    He Won the State Championship... Then Got Disqualified for This | Episode 213

    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 meet, sparking a nationwide debate about sportsmanship, celebration, and whether officials got this one right. In this episode, Lewis and Mitch break down the video, the rule, the reasoning behind the disqualification, and the bigger question: Where is the line between celebrating and taunting? 🎙️ The I Don't Know Running Podcast #Running #TrackAndField #HighSchoolTrack #RelayRace #RunningPodcast #Sportsmanship #TrackNation #CrossCountry #DistanceRunning #IDKR Check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IDKR Support the show

    26 min

  4. Jun 7

    The Biggest Race Disasters Ever | Episode 212

    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 can spot potential red flags before signing up. Some race stories are inspiring. These are not those stories. 🎙️ Topics include: Short-course marathon scandals Lost Boston Qualifiers Ghost races and canceled events Empty aid stations Open-course racing risks Back-of-the-pack horror stories How to spot a shady race before race day Have you ever had a race go completely wrong? Let us know in the comments. #IDontKnowRunning #RunningPodcast #Marathon #BostonQualifier #RaceDay Check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IDKR Support the show

    23 min

  5. May 31

    Who Really Won at the Bayshore Marathon? | Episode 211

    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. We break down the reality of modern Boston Marathon qualifying, the brutal cutoff times, why the 18–34 age group faces unique challenges, and the new rules aimed at downhill "BQ hunting" races. Most importantly, we ask a bigger question: Has the pursuit of Boston become a numbers game, or is the exclusivity exactly what makes it special? Let us know what you think: Is Boston's gatekeeping good for the sport, or has the qualifying process gone too far? #Running #Marathon #BostonMarathon #BQ #BayshoreMarathon #Sub3 #MarathonTraining #RunningPodcast 🎙️ IDK Running Podcast #running #marathon #londonmarathon #guinnessworldrecords #ultrarunning #podcast Check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IDKR Support the show

    39 min

  6. May 24

    The Weirdest Marathon World Records Ever Set | Episode 210

    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 shoes… to zombie world records… to groups of runners literally tethered together for 26.2 miles… these stories somehow get more absurd the deeper you go. And the craziest part? A lot of these runners are still faster than most marathoners in normal gear. — Topics include: London Marathon Guinness World Records Marathon costume world records Fastest marathon in jeans Fastest marathon in a suit Thomas the Tank Engine marathon runner Weird endurance sports records Guinness World Records running Extreme marathon stories — 🎙️ IDK Running Podcast #running #marathon #londonmarathon #guinnessworldrecords #ultrarunning #podcast Check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IDKR Support the show

    35 min

  7. May 17

    The Most Insane Race in America? | Cocodona 250 | Episode 209

    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” mentality the emotional Golden Hour finishers and the deeper question behind all of it… Why do people willingly do something this hard? — If you enjoy running conversations that go beyond splits and race times, subscribe and join us for more episodes every week. — #running #ultrarunning #cocodona250 #trailrunning #ultramarathon #runningpodcast 🎧 I Don’t Know Running Podcast Check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IDKR Support the show

    38 min

  8. May 10

    The First Official Sub-2 Marathon Just Happened | Episode 208

    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 major sponsor, and no marathon experience showed up at Glass City Marathon and ran 2:05:54 in his debut marathon — becoming the 4th-fastest American marathoner ever. In this episode, we break down: The first official sub-2 marathon How London 2026 shattered expectations The role of super shoes, fueling, and pacing Why this may be the biggest leap forward in running history Vinny Mauri’s shocking American marathon debut And the growing debate around technology and fairness in the sport This wasn’t just a fast race. It felt like a turning point. #running #marathon #londonmarathon #sub2 #eliudkipchoge #trackandfield #distanceRunning — 🎧 I Don’t Know Running Podcast Check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IDKR Support the show

    30 min
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4.7
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

The I Don't Know Running podcast is about how we're all learning to run in some way or another. Whether you're just starting to run a mile or you've ran 100's of marathons and are now in the ultra world, this is for you. We all continue to learn and have something to share. So join us in the discussion and help us make everyone's running experience better. We will talk about our experiences, your experiences, gear, races, and much more.

Information

  • Creator
    Lewis Hayden and Mitch Brouwer
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    229
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 I Don't Know Running
  • Show Website
    I Don't Know Running

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