Kinda a Stress Fracture, Kinda Not? | Chicago Marathon 2026 Recap

This week on the Kinda Fast Podcast, Claire and Travis are talking all things Chicago Marathon 2026, including record-breaking performances, surprising training methods, and some unforgettable finish-line moments. Plus, we're diving into an injury every runner should know about: stress reactions vs. stress fractures.

We kick things off with "What Does That Even Mean?" and explain what a sweep car is, how marathon cutoff times work, and why you definitely don't want Disney's famous Balloon Ladies catching up to you on race day!

Then we're recapping the 2026 Chicago Marathon! From Amos Kipruto and Hawi Feysa's victories to Emma Grace Hurley's record-breaking American marathon debut, there's plenty to talk about. We also discuss Clayton Young's impressive performance despite a hamstring injury, Vinny Mauri's unconventional treadmill training at Planet Fitness, and which running shoes dominated the podium. Plus, we've got a 100-year-old woman making her track and field debut and a heartwarming story about a wife who secretly trained for a half marathon to surprise her husband.

For our deep dive, we're breaking down the difference between a stress reaction and a stress fracture. How do you know if that nagging shin pain is normal soreness or something more serious? We discuss five warning signs runners shouldn't ignore, common causes of bone stress injuries, and how training too hard, increasing mileage too quickly, or not fueling properly can lead to problems. Travis also shares his personal experience running through a bone stress injury and what his recovery looked like.

Finally, we're checking in on our own training, including Travis's acceptance into the 2027 Boston Marathon and Claire's road to the 2027 London Marathon!

Have you ever dealt with a stress reaction or stress fracture? We'd love to hear your experience!

The Kinda Fast Podcast is powered by Upward Running, a Christian running app designed to help runners grow in faith and fitness through training plans, coaching, encouragement, and community.

Download the app: https://upwardrunning.com/download/

Use code KINDAFAST for a two-week free trial!

New episodes every Friday!

#KindaFastPodcast #ChicagoMarathon2026 #RunningInjuries #StressFracture #MarathonTraining #UpwardRunning

What do Taco Bell, pot-bellied pigs, and 6,800 miles of running have in common? This week's episode of the Kinda Fast Podcast!

Claire and Travis welcome special guest Keith Storm, a runner who accomplished something pretty incredible: running every road and trail in Greenville County, South Carolina!

Over nearly four years, Keith covered approximately 6,800 miles, encountering everything from loose dogs and a pot-bellied pig to a baby bear along the way. He joins us to share what inspired this enormous challenge, the adventures that came with it, and what it takes to stay committed to a goal that takes years to accomplish.

We talk about early-morning highway runs, the importance of setting smaller milestones, discovering places you've passed a thousand times but never truly explored, and what's next for Keith.

Plus, somehow, nine Taco Bell stops during an ultramarathon make their way into the conversation!

Whether you're chasing a personal record or dreaming up your next big adventure, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the most incredible journeys start right outside your front door.

The Kinda Fast Podcast is powered by Upward Running, a Christian running app with training plans, coaching, daily encouragement, and a supportive community to help you grow in faith and fitness.

How to find Keith Storm: https://www.runupstate.com/ https://www.instagram.com/keithstorm/

Download the app: https://upwardrunning.com/download/

Use code KINDAFAST for a two-week free trial.

New episodes every Friday!

#KindaFastPodcast #KeithStorm #RunningPodcast #UpwardRunning #GreenvilleSC #RunningCommunity

What do the Berlin Marathon, $500 racing shoes, 30,000 burpee broad jumps, and tendon strength have in common? Somehow, they all made it into this week’s Kinda Fast.

Claire and Travis kick things off with What Does That Even Mean?, breaking down eccentric vs. concentric muscle contractions and why both matter for runners.

Then, it’s time for running news. Tigst Assefa runs an incredible 2:11:04 at the Berlin Marathon, setting a new course record before suffering an Achilles injury in the final kilometers. Plus, Adidas unveils the new Adizero Adios Pro 5 with a completely different carbon design—but all six men’s and women’s podium finishers in Berlin chose to race in the $500 Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 instead.

And because running a normal marathon apparently wasn’t difficult enough, German HYROX athlete Kevin Ociepka covered the entire 26.2-mile marathon distance using burpee broad jumps—about 30,000 of them over more than six and a half days.

Finally, in this week’s Deep Dive, Claire and Travis are talking tendons. Why do they matter so much for runners? Why can they take longer to adapt than your muscles and cardiovascular system? And how can you help prepare them for the demands of running?

They break down five exercises runners can incorporate into their strength training: calf raises, deadlifts, Bulgarian split squats, speed skaters, and pogo hops.

It’s running news, ridiculously expensive shoes, 30,000 burpees, and a little strength training—all in Episode 67 of Kinda Fast.

Kinda Fast is powered by Upward Running, a Christian running app with training plans, coaching, daily encouragement, and an incredible community to help you grow in both your faith and fitness.