Episode 36: Down Weeks, New Balance’s Big Year, Provisional Stars, and “Am I a Runner?”

Welcome to episode 36 of the Kinda Fast Podcast, the show where we talk running, real life, and everything in between.

This week, Travis and Claire break down down weeks and why pulling back is part of getting better, not falling behind. Then they hit the running news with a big New Balance growth story (including $9.2B in 2025 global sales and U.S. manufacturing expansion), plus an absurd but hilarious attempt to lunge an entire marathon.

Next, Claire goes on a passionate rant about Cape Town’s “provisional star” and what that means for the World Marathon Majors conversation. After that, they debut a brand new segment: Would You Rather: Running Edition.

Finally, they settle a question runners hear all the time: “When do you actually become a real runner?” (Spoiler: if you run, you are one), and close with an important faith-based reminder about where our deepest identity really comes from.

In this episode, we cover:

• What a down week is (and how it’s different from a taper)
• How much to reduce mileage during a down week (and why you may still feel tired)
• New Balance’s momentum and what’s driving their growth
• The “lunge marathon” attempt (and why starting with a 5K is way more realistic)
• Cape Town’s provisional star and why it’s controversial
• Would You Rather: Running Edition (race-day chaos, no explanations allowed… kind of)
• The truth about being a “real runner” and how to fight runner imposter syndrome
• A faith-centered reminder: running is something we do, but our identity is in Christ

Who this episode is for:

• Runners who feel beat up and wonder if they need a down week
• Anyone building consistency and trying to train smarter (not just harder)
• People who say “I’m not a runner” even though they run all the time
• Runners who love news, hot takes, and fun debates
• Anyone who wants a segment to play with their run group
• Believers who want a running podcast that keeps perspective in the right place
• Literally anyone and everyone

YouTube Chapters:

• 01:51 What Does That Even Mean? Down Week
• 08:33 Running News: New Balance growth + U.S. manufacturing
• 15:11 Running News: the guy who tried to lunge a marathon
• 17:21 Running News: Cape Town provisional star rant
• 20:25 Would You Rather: Running Edition
• 24:57 Deep Dive: “I’m not really a runner” (4 truths)
• 38:10 Training check-in: Claire’s 5K + Travis’s down week + upcoming half marathon
• 40:01 Wrap-up and how to support the podcast

Join the Kinda Fast community: https://www.upwardrunning.com/kindafast Use code KINDA FASTFAST for two weeks free inside the RunClub App.

If this episode helped you rethink recovery weeks, runner identity, or your own self-talk, leave a review, drop a comment with your Would You Rather picks, and share this with a runner who needs the reminder that they belong.

Episode 35: Kinda Fast, Kinda Efficient: Super Shoes, Running Economy & Record-Breaking News

Welcome to Episode 35 of the Kinda Fast Podcast, the show where we talk running, real life, and everything in between.

This week, Claire and Travis break down one of the biggest trends in running right now: super shoes. What makes them different? How do carbon plates and high-performance foam work? And do they actually improve performance...or just come with a hefty price tag?

Then it’s a packed week of running news:

• Cole Hocker runs 3:45.94 to break the American indoor mile record
• Molly Seidel finishes 4th in her first-ever 100K and earns a Golden Ticket to the 2026 Western States 100
• A Super Bowl halftime performer goes viral after logging the performance on Strava
• The Barkley Marathons delivers another brutal year, with no finishers and one last runner standing

Finally, they take a deep dive into running economy...what it means, why some runners feel smoother and faster at the same effort, and how strength training, hills, long runs, form, and consistency can help you run more efficiently.

Because getting faster isn’t always about working harder. Sometimes it’s about using less energy for every mile.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What makes a shoe “super” and when to use carbon-plate shoes
• How super shoes can improve efficiency by 2-4%
• What elite 100K performance really looks like
• Why the mile is getting faster than ever
• What makes the Barkley Marathons one of the toughest races in the world
• How to improve your running economy and feel stronger at the same pace

This episode is for runners who want to train smarter, race stronger, and improve performance without burning out.

Join the Kinda Fast Community Run with purpose. Stay motivated. Find your people.

👉 https://www.upwardrunning.com/kindafast Use code KINDAFAST for two weeks free inside the RunClub App.

If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review, share it with a running friend, and let us know...are you team daily trainers or team super shoes?

Welcome back to the Kinda Fast Podcast....the show where we talk running, real life, and everything in between.

This week, Claire and Travis break down cadence...what it really means, why the 180 steps-per-minute rule isn’t one-size-fits-all, and how small adjustments can improve efficiency and reduce injury risk.

In the news, they cover:

• New data showing major marathons are now matching (and sometimes exceeding) the economic impact of the Super Bowl
• Jacob Kiplimo’s historic half marathon performance being ruled ineligible for a world record
• The 2026 New York City Marathon lottery, including key dates and what your chances really look like

Then they dive into finite vs. infinite goals...why runners need both race-specific targets and long-term purpose to stay motivated and consistent for the long haul.

This episode is for runners who want to train smarter, stay motivated, and keep running for the long game.

Join the Kinda Fast community: https://www.upwardrunning.com/kindafast

Use code KINDAFAST for two weeks free inside the RunClub App.