It’s a six-month anniversary episode (!) and also a chaos-filled, cross-country-heavy, holiday-adjacent, pop-culture-spiraling installment of Off The Rails with Eric Jenkins and Aisha Praught-Leer. NCAA XC wrapped 15 minutes before recording and the takes are HOT.

This week's topics include:

– Celebrating six months of Off The Rails (they said it couldn’t be done!)
– Early Christmas vibes + Denver Botanical Garden date night adventures
– Real vs. fake Christmas trees + DIY confidence from YouTube University
– Thanksgiving plans, turkey trots, and Aisha’s undying love for potatoes
– Hosting 30-person Thanksgivings + abandoning Boulder runners this year
– Full breakdown of the NCAA XC Championships
– The men cutting the course (!), hay-bale chaos, and why Aisha was screaming
– Doris Lemngole vs. Jane Hedengren: a dogfight at the front
– The women’s team race + the rise of powerhouse female coaches
– Lori Henes, Diljeet Taylor, Shalane Flanagan and the wide spectrum of coaching styles
– The men’s race: Habtom Samuel’s decisive move
– The pre-race press-conference drama between Ed Eyestone and Dave Smith
– Recruiting, age-gap advantages, international athletes, and the gray areas no one wants to talk about
– Whether the NCAA needs age limits, rule reforms, and real testing
– NCAA testing vs. USADA vs. WADA (and why NCAA testing is basically vibes)
– World Cross Country implications + the absolutely STACKED U.S. Cross entry lists
– The 4×2K relay, selection rules, and why high schoolers might get pulled into the mix
– NXN weekend logistics, live show planning, and putting Aisha on “house arrest”
– The Epstein Files Transparency Act (!): what it means and what might be revealed in 30 days
– Advent-calendar-style release fantasies featuring Mariska Hargitay
– Wicked press-tour weirdness, pop-culture updates, and Kevin Spacey (allegedly) being “homeless”
– Aisha’s RapChat education + Eric’s former rap name (“Ricky Roxer”) revealed
– Dating apps, hinge marriages, Tinder match confessions, and the horror of being roasted by a group chat
– Dancing With The Stars: finale thoughts + which runners would crush on the show
– Listener voicemails on alienation-of-affection laws, political chaos, fan theories, and whether Aisha works at FanDuel

📞 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.

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⚠️ 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.

It's been a quiet-ish week in the track and field world but that won't stop Eric Jenkins and Aisha Praught-Leer from finding enough to yap about.

This week's topics include:

– Aisha recaps the 2025 Team Boss Mile and the massive success

– Boulder has the nepo babies of running

– We'll be at Nike Cross Country Nationals

– Elise Cranny to M11 Track Club

– Marvin Bracy-Williams has been suspended but cooperated with USADA investigators

– A conspiracy theory on whether World Athletics left Melissa Jefferson-Wooden off the finalists list for Athlete of the Year because of the Marvin Bracy Williams news

– A thank you and farewell to Bee Keeper Coffee

– All three rounds of the women's 100m will be run in one day at the 2028 LA Olympics

– The athlete and public reaction to the three rounds in one day

– Aisha explains her role with World Athletics and the attention to detail on this

– Expectations for LA hosting the Olympics

– The Epstein Files and whether Donald Trump gave Bill Clinton a BJ

– A TikTok influencer was ordered to pay $1.75 million for seducing her manager

– We learn about Alienation of Affection Laws

– Voicemails from listeners include: What is the cure to male loneliness; the stakes for Team Eric vs Team Aisha + the modern obsession with marathoning over shorter distances

📞 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

🐝 ☕️ Presented by Beekeeper Coffee – Beekeeper Coffee is bringing a new voice to coffee with its delicious cold brews made from premium Honduran beans and a drop of pure organic honey sourced from TrackTown USA (Eugene, Ore.) - they are available in four latte flavors - Vanilla, Mocha, Caramel and Horchata - as well as a Black cold brew. Follow them @beekeepercoffee. Get 25% off your online orders at BeekeeperCoffee.com or on Amazon using code CITIUS25.

🏃 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.

Eric Jenkins and Aisha Praught-Leer are back after a week off, where it was much needed to recover from New York City Marathon week.

Among the topics discussed in this week's episode:

– We kick things off with some technical difficulties
– Post-New York City trip reflections
– New Balance folks party HARD
– An update on the Jamaican marathon record attempt
– Influencers and the NYC Marathon
– Grammy nominations discussion
– Grammy predictions and artist favorites
– Controversies in the Female Athlete of the Year nominations
– The impact of awards on athlete recognition
– Men's Athlete of the Year discussion
– Eliud Kipchoge's global ambassador role and brand influence
– Kipchoge meets Barack Obama
– Voicemails include: Coaching aspirations and listener engagement; the $2 Million Dilemma: Cash vs. Training; navigating group runs with bathroom issues; track and field lingo; should people move to the marathon sooner?
📞 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
🐝 ☕️ Presented by Beekeeper Coffee – Beekeeper Coffee is bringing a new voice to coffee with its delicious cold brews made from premium Honduran beans and a drop of pure organic honey sourced from TrackTown USA (Eugene, Ore.) - they are available in four latte flavors - Vanilla, Mocha, Caramel and Horchata - as well as a Black cold brew. Follow them @beekeepercoffee. Get 25% off your online orders at BeekeeperCoffee.com or on Amazon using code CITIUS25.
🏃 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.

So much happened that Aisha Praught-Leer put together a What The Hell list from the past week.

Among the topics discussed in this week's episode:

– Ruth Chepngetich gets BANNED for three years and there's some sketchy texts

– The implications of doping in track and field

– Iowa State's men's cross country team has some controversy swirling

– There's multiple NBA scandals being investigated by the FBI

– What happens if gambling hits track and field

– The Louvre Heist was a delightful crime story to follow

– Has Donald Trump taken it too far with the White House renovations of the East Wing?

– Hurricane Melissa is a looming threat for Jamaica

– Aisha is not a fan of the World Treadmill Championships

– Voicemails include: A listener will not tolerate NYC slander, a Railrider invites Eric and Aisha to her wedding, more Halloween costume ideas, someone wants career advice from Aisha, what kind of dog are you?

📞 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

🐝 ☕️ Presented by Beekeeper Coffee – Beekeeper Coffee is bringing a new voice to coffee with its delicious cold brews made from premium Honduran beans and a drop of pure organic honey sourced from TrackTown USA (Eugene, Ore.) - they are available in four latte flavors - Vanilla, Mocha, Caramel and Horchata - as well as a Black cold brew. Follow them @beekeepercoffee. Get 25% off your online orders at BeekeeperCoffee.com or on Amazon using code CITIUS25.

🏃 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.

Eric Jenkins made it back from Canada early enough to ensure that there was an Off The Rails episode for the fans.

Topics discussed in this week's episode include:

– Eric’s adventures in Toronto, including meeting a RailRider mid-race

– Traveling and upcoming events

– The public’s reaction to Aisha’s marathon goal from the last episode

– Halloween plans and costumes

– New York Marathon excitement

– Some early storylines to watch in NYC

– Aisha’s fantasy about living in New York City

– Halloween costume ideas

– Our favorite candies

– Boulder’s best men’s softball team – The Shin Splints

– World Cross-Country Championships are coming to America

– Where athletes usually are in October with training

– Why Eric didn’t like living in Portland

– Voicemails include: The impact of injuries on a runner’s identity and navigating life beyond professional running

📞 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

🐝 ☕️ Presented by Beekeeper Coffee – Beekeeper Coffee is bringing a new voice to coffee with its delicious cold brews made from premium Honduran beans and a drop of pure organic honey sourced from TrackTown USA (Eugene, Ore.) - they are available in four latte flavors - Vanilla, Mocha, Caramel and Horchata - as well as a Black cold brew. Follow them @beekeepercoffee. Get 25% off your online orders at BeekeeperCoffee.com or on Amazon using code CITIUS25.

🏃 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.

Aisha Praught-Leer and Eric Jenkins reconnect after the Chicago Marathon and share Eric's highlights from the weekend and his first trip to the Windy City. They discuss the emotional journey of marathon runners, the excitement of major marathons, and the impact of recent doping scandals on the sport.

Discussed in this episode:

– The Chicago Marathon experience

– Live shows can be nerve-wracking but rewarding for athletes.

– Major marathons offer a unique energy that is unmatched in other sports

– The emotional journey of marathon runners

– Planning for marathons requires strategic thinking and commitment

– Athletes who face immense pressure to perform well in major races

– The impact of doping scandals can overshadow athletic achievements.

– Contracts and appearance fees play a significant role in marathon participation.

– Femke Bol's transition to the 800m is an exciting development

– Kenyan athletes doing step aerobics

– ATHLOS showcased high production quality and athlete engagement + how in-person experiences of events often surpass broadcast experiences.

– Innovative field events like the Times Square long jump can attract new audiences to athletics.

+ Voicemails include: How commentary around women's sports needs to evolve to avoid stereotypes; Athletes' choices in uniforms are often based on performance needs; the future of athletics may include more pop-up events in unique locations.

📞 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

🐝 ☕️ Presented by Beekeeper Coffee – Beekeeper Coffee is bringing a new voice to coffee with its delicious cold brews made from premium Honduran beans and a drop of pure organic honey sourced from TrackTown USA (Eugene, Ore.) - they are available in four latte flavors - Vanilla, Mocha, Caramel and Horchata - as well as a Black cold brew. Follow them @beekeepercoffee. Get 25% off your online orders at BeekeeperCoffee.com or on Amazon using code CITIUS25.

🏃 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.

Rise and shine! Eric and Aisha connect early to record an all-new episode because they're dedicated and won't miss a week in your podcast feeds.

Topics in this episode include:

– Aisha had a wild weekend celebrating a friend's daughter's one-year birthday.

– Bear encounters can be both scary and humorous.

– Hydration is crucial after a night of partying.

– Music news includes Bad Bunny performing at the Super Bowl.

– Coaching misconduct can have serious implications for athletes.

– Laura Muir's bravery in speaking out against her coach is commendable.

– International recruitment in the NCAA raises ethical concerns.

– The professionalization of college sports is changing the landscape.

– Athletes deserve safe environments to train and compete.

– The future of college sports may need new regulations. Recruiting in athletics is a complex and challenging process.

– The culture of a team can influence recruitment and athlete development.

– There is a growing debate on whether college athletes should be paid.

– Athlos is coming up

– The Chicago Marathon is shaping up to be a significant event this year with Conner Mantz and a potential WR attempt

– Athletes are increasingly being drawn to competitions with transparent prize money.

– The Enhanced Games are raising questions about athlete compensation and sponsorship models.

– Public contracts for athletes could change the landscape of sports sponsorship.

– The future of athletics may depend on how well organizations adapt to new compensation models.

📞 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

🐝 ☕️ Presented by Beekeeper Coffee – Beekeeper Coffee is bringing a new voice to coffee with its delicious cold brews made from premium Honduran beans and a drop of pure organic honey sourced from TrackTown USA (Eugene, Ore.) - they are available in four latte flavors - Vanilla, Mocha, Caramel and Horchata - as well as a Black cold brew. Follow them @beekeepercoffee. Get 25% off your online orders at BeekeeperCoffee.com or on Amazon using code CITIUS25.

----

⚠️ 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.