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.

In episode 33 of the Kinda Fast Podcast, Travis and Claire break down one of the most common runner complaints: dead legs. They explain what dead legs actually are, why they happen, and how to respond without overreacting or forcing intensity when your body is asking for recovery.

They also recap highlights from the 2026 Millrose Games, including standout performances from Cam Myers, Nikki Hiltz, and Cole Hocker, and discuss a major Team USA update involving a $100 million pledge designed to provide long-term financial support for U.S. Olympians and Paralympians. What sounds great on the surface comes with some important caveats, and they unpack what this really means for athletes.

Then things get spicy with a clickbait debate that took over the internet: is it okay to wear a finisher shirt for a race you did not finish? Travis and Claire share their takes, draw some clear lines, and invite listeners to weigh in.

The episode continues with a new segment asking what race is actually the hardest, from the 5K to the marathon, looking at pacing, intensity, duration, and physiology. Finally, they close with a deep dive into running and knee pain, breaking down what the science really says about knee osteoarthritis, long-term joint health, and how runners can train smarter to protect their knees.

This episode covers:

-What dead legs are and how to recover properly -Why stacked hard days, poor sleep, and fueling issues matter -2026 Millrose Games highlights and athletes to watch

-The truth behind Team USA’s new Olympian support pledge

-The finisher shirt controversy and where runners draw the line

-Which race is hardest and why it depends on the runner

-What research says about running and knee pain

-How to protect your knees with strength, cadence, recovery, and smart training

Whether you are training for a 5K, half marathon, or marathon, dealing with heavy legs, or questioning what you have heard about running and knee health, this episode delivers practical insight, honest conversation, and encouragement along the way.

Powered by Upward Running. Join the Kinda Fast community at upwardrunning.com/kindafast and use code KINDAFAST for two weeks free.

In episode 32 of the Kinda Fast Podcast, Claire and Travis break down heart rate variability (HRV)...what it actually measures, why runners see it on their watches all the time, and how to use it without spiraling or overthinking your training.

They also hit the latest running news, including Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s pregnancy and what it means for women’s track in 2026, plus an inspiring story of a 60-year-old runner who just broke an indoor world record.

Then, they answer a real listener question about surviving treadmill training during brutal winter weather (including how to use incline wisely), before wrapping up with a deep dive into running and mental health...six science-backed reasons running supports mood, stress, sleep, resilience, and mindfulness.

Whether you’re training through winter, watching your HRV trend dip, or just trying to feel a little more human again, this episode is full of practical insight and encouragement.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• What HRV (heart rate variability) really is...and what it’s actually telling you
• Why HRV reflects stress, recovery, sleep, illness, and life load (not just training)
• Why HRV trends over time matter more than one daily number
• Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s pregnancy announcement and how 2026 reshapes women’s track
• A 60-year-old breaking the indoor mile world record
• How to survive treadmill running when it’s your only option
• Treadmill incline tips to better mimic outdoor running
• Six ways running supports mental health, including mood, stress regulation, sleep, focus, and resilience

This Episode Is For:

• Runners who see HRV on their watch and aren’t sure how seriously to take it
• Anyone training through winter who hates the treadmill but still wants to stay consistent
• Runners navigating stress, burnout, or mental fatigue
• Anyone stepping back into running after time away
• Runners who want practical, real-life advice without overcomplicating training

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Episode 31 | Kinda Under-Fueling: Low Energy Availability (LEA) in Running

In this episode of the Kinda Fast Podcast, Travis and Claire break down a workout term every runner should know: progression runs...what they are, why they work, and how they teach you to finish strong on tired legs.

Then it’s running news you didn’t see coming: a race that includes Ferrari’s private test track, how to enter the LA 2028 Olympic ticket lottery, and a breakdown of the 26 most influential people in running for 2026.

For the deep dive, we tackle a topic that came straight from a real Run Club member call: under-fueling and low energy availability (LEA). We unpack what LEA is, why it’s more common than you think (especially among runners), how it impacts performance and health, signs you might be under-fueled, and practical ways to fuel better, without copying someone else’s diet.

If you’ve ever felt drained, struggled late in runs, or wondered if fueling might be the missing piece, this episode is for you.

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

Welcome to Episode 30 of the Kinda Fast Podcast, the show where we talk running, real life, and everything in between.

This week, Travis and Claire have a stacked running-news episode...from Disney Marathon weekend drama (including a course that was shortened mid-race), to the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, to huge performances at the Houston Marathon + Half.

In our “What Does That Even Mean?” segment, we break down a term you’ve probably heard but may not fully understand: training block. We explain what it is, what it’s not, the most common types of blocks (base, speed/strength, race-specific, recovery), and why training blocks help runners progress without burning out.

Then for the deep dive....because it’s Episode 30, we’re reintroducing ourselves. You’ll hear more of Travis and Claire’s running backgrounds, one lesson running taught each of us this past year, plus some fun “get to know us” questions (family life, favorite snacks, surprising runner facts, and more).

And yes… we also settle the very important question: did Taylor Swift really run 8 miles during every show? 😄

In this episode, we cover:

• What a training block is (and why it matters)
• Disney Marathon weekend recap + “does it count if it’s shortened?”
• World Cross Country Championships highlights (mud, water, obstacles, and standout finishes)
• Houston Marathon winners + what those results mean for Team USA
• The Houston Half: four Americans under 60 minutes in one race
• Taylor Roe’s huge half marathon + Dot McMahan qualifying again at age 49
• Taylor Swift mileage math + the Taylor vs. Travis Kelce 5K debate

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

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

Welcome to Episode 29 of the Kinda Fast Podcast, the show where we talk running, real life, and everything in between.

After a few weeks off the mic together, Travis and Claire are back with life and office updates, a race recap, a fresh round of running news, and a deep dive into how to actually stick with your New Year running goals (without burning out by the second Friday of January).

They break down the basics of foot strike in the “What Does That Even Mean?” segment, talk Strava stats and PRs, and get real about consistency, choosing the right plan, listening to your body, and building habits that last beyond January.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Foot strike explained (heel vs. midfoot vs. forefoot...and why there’s no one “right” way)
• Claire’s official official 5K PR from New Year’s Day
• A Strava year-in-review showdown (miles, elevation, segment records)
• Running news and current events
• How to approach New Year goals without burnout
• Why consistency beats intensity every time
• Listening to your body early (before injury hits)
• Warm-ups, strength training, and staying healthy long-term

This episode is for:

• New runners starting fresh
• Runners coming back after time off
• Anyone chasing a PR without getting hurt
• Runners who want to train smarter and stay consistent
• Faith-rooted runners looking for purpose and community
• Anyone who wants a realistic plan for staying in the game past January

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

Couch to Marathon Kickoff Call: 👉 https://riverside.com/webinar/registration/eyJzbHVnIjoiY2xhaXJlLWJveWNlcy1zdHVkaW8iLCJldmVudElkIjoiNjk0NzBkYmVjNmNjZWU0ZmZjNzI0ZWZkIiwicHJvamVjdElkIjoiNjk0NzBkYmUzN2M0NDA0OWI4OGM0OGM2In0=

If this episode helped you, made you laugh, or gave you a better plan for January, like, subscribe, and share it with a runner who needs it this week.