Back of the Pack Podcast

We flipped the script this week on Second Wind: with our guest delayed, Kyle sat in the hot seat and answered our ten signature questions himself. From a decade-plus of start lines and almost 370 finish-line stories, he digs into the run that changed him, the day that nearly broke him, and why he still laces up when motivation goes missing. You’ll hear about the people who shaped his journey, the weird and wonderful moments only runners collect, and what “setback and comeback” looks like from the back of the pack. Kyle talks community, identity, and the quiet wins that matter more than PRs. There’s practical advice for newer runners and a candid look at how the sport evolves alongside life. Think of it as a fireside chat with your favorite race buddy—equal parts honesty, humor, and heart. After you listen, hit us with your own answers to the Big Ten and we’ll share a few on next week’s show!

We’re back this week with a full breakdown of the Battle of the Bean 5K in Kansas City, Missouri, a race that reminded us winter running doesn’t mess around. From the pre-race jitters to frozen fingers at the start line, we recap what it was like to toe the line with a real feel of –1°F. But the race itself is only part of the story. The rest of the episode dives deep into what running in extreme cold actually does to the body. We talk about how sub-zero temperatures affect muscles, joints, breathing, circulation, and overall performance. We explore why pace feels harder than effort suggests, why warming up is such a challenge, and why post-race recovery can be just as tricky as the run itself. We also touch on the mental side of running in brutal conditions and how cold weather forces runners to adjust expectations. This episode isn’t about chasing PRs. It’s about resilience, preparation, and knowing when showing up is the victory. If you’ve ever questioned whether a run was worth it once you stepped outside, this one’s for you.

This week on Second Wind, we’re bringing in Kyle’s buddy Joe Klassen, a pastor with a microphone history and a “let’s do the hard thing” streak that somehow led him straight into CrossFit. Joe shares the moment that sparked his whole transformation, and it’s the kind of story that hits like a kettlebell to the feelings. From there, we get into what it actually looks like to start from zero, rebuild after setbacks, and learn to check your ego at the door when your body isn’t doing what your pride thinks it should. Joe talks about dropping 147 pounds, finding purpose beyond the scale, and why community inside a CrossFit box can feel a lot like the best version of a church. We also get a peek into the weird, wild, and sometimes horrifying side of gym life (yes, there are “earmuffs, kids” moments). But the heart of this episode is simple: becoming the kind of person who can keep showing up, keep moving, and keep being there for the people you love, for decades to come. And because it’s Second Wind, we’ve got plenty of laughs too including “Bless Your Heart” awards, old-man divisions, and a legendary hospital BBQ decision that probably shouldn’t have happened. If you’ve ever wondered whether CrossFit is for “people like us,” this conversation might surprise you. Hit play and come hang with us.

No race weekend in Kansas City? Fine. We made our own chaos. This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast, we’re swapping the usual race recap for a Tokyo Marathon countdown update and a deep dive into the workout that can make or break a cycle: the long run. Kyle takes you to Lexington Lake Park for a “virtual half marathon” powered by laps, a trunk-made aid station, and sheer stubborn consistency. Along the way, we talk confidence when you’re training solo, why time-on-feet might matter more than mileage (especially for us real-life runners), and the myths that need to be tossed straight into the nearest trash can. We also get real about mental endurance, emotional rollercoasters mid-run, and the little “run-walk hacks” that help you stay ahead when time limits are staring you down. Plus, there’s some spicy frustration when a beloved tradition gets its date moved and threatens the podcast’s annual anniversary plans. Don’t worry, we’re adapting like runners do, and the new celebration plan might actually be even better. If you’re training for a spring marathon or just trying to survive winter miles with your sanity intact, this one’s for you. Lace up and come hang with us.

We sit down with runner and American Heart Association advocate Molly McGuire from Muncie, IN, and her story grabs us from the first mile. We open on maternal heart health as Molly explains preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome, the warning signs people miss, and why quick action saves lives. We dig into how grief and survival reshaped her outlook, then pivot to the run: the 50-states quest (45 down), pacing in Indiana, and the Honolulu marathon that made her believe she could go the distance. We laugh about costume runners and Converse-at-the-parade blister mistakes, then get real about New York’s tough day and the 12-week grind back from a wrecked gait. We talk origin stories, the first half that taught her the power of good shoes, and the community she’s built coast to coast—even when the local scene didn’t fit. We celebrate a 100-pound weight-loss journey, labs turning around, and choosing a few miles over a few drinks on stressful days. We shout out the partners and best friends who make these trips possible, and why “your only competition is yourself” might be the best newbie advice we’ve heard. We wrap with Molly’s A-number-one race pick (Key West in January), plus practical takeaways: know the red flags, check your BP, and speak up for the people you love. It’s heart health, hard lessons, and the joy of showing up—Second Wind style.

We kick off 2026 with double race vibes and fresh resolve. We headed to Overland Park for the Hangover Half Marathon, then jumped the timeline to Parkville for the Time Travel 10K, trading late-night confetti for early-morning miles. We talk course feel, start-line energy, and why these New Year races are sneaky-good fitness barometers. There’s honest chatter about rebuilding after a rough 2025, the small wins that signal a comeback, and what “encouraged” actually feels like when you’re clawing back consistency. Then we set our 2026 running goals on air, invite you to do the same, and explain how our goal-card idea will circle back in December. Tokyo prep is officially real, flights booked, fire lit. Hit play for race-day stories, practical momentum, and a community check-in to start the year right.

Happy New Years everyone! 2026 is going to start off with a very special guest! This week on Second Wind, we hand the mic to Lisa Watkins, host of Behind the Bib, whose mantra is simple: do it scared, then do it again. From a first solo half during lockdown to building a fiercely welcoming run community, Lisa shares how showing up—imperfect and honest—can change your running and your life. She lets us peek at a live-wire moment moderating a conversation with a certain legendary mastermind of sufferfests, plus a pacing story that turned nerves into someone else’s breakthrough. We talk tribe over times, vibes over splits, and why a good laugh (and the right friends) can carry you farther than any gel. If you’ve ever wondered whether you “belong” in this sport, Lisa’s answer is a resounding yes—and the way she gets there might surprise you. Come for the stories, stay for the spark to register for the thing that scares you a little.

In this episode of The Back of the Pack Podcast, we crack open our 2025 race calendar like a scrapbook with sweat stains and start pulling out the stories. Forty-eight races, forty-seven race days, and enough finish lines to make our bib drawer file for workers’ comp. We dig into the “stat snacks” too: 339.95 miles of racing, an average rhythm of basically a race every week, and a whole lot of half-marathon living. We relive the highs (hello Top City Half as our fastest 13.1), the gritty ones (yes, Summer Argo, we remember you), and the weird little coincidences that only show up when we actually look at our year in one big pile. Like running two different halves and landing on the exact same finish time, or clocking the same 5K time twice like our watch got stuck in a time loop. There were double-header weekends, holiday races, travel races, hometown classics, and at least one event whose name tried to convince our spreadsheet we ran farther than we did. But the real story isn’t the pace, it’s what each course dragged out of us: patience, pride, stubbornness, gratitude, and a few laughs when the plan went off the rails. If you’ve ever wondered what consistency looks like for a back-of-the-pack runner, this episode is the honest, imperfect, strangely beautiful proof. Come for the numbers, stay for the stories.

This week we welcome Rex Hunt and Sydney Sorkin for a candid tour of the ultrarunning life. Rex shares how trails became his classroom, why he chased six 100-mile finishes in a single year, and what those long nights taught him about patience, pacing, and grit. Sydney adds her own perspective as a runner and group-run leader, answering our ten signature questions with stories that feel equal parts practical and inspiring. Together they unpack crewing vs. being crewed, what actually keeps you moving at mile 80, and how community makes impossible goals feel possible. It’s a lively, in-studio conversation that demystifies ultras without glamorizing the sufferfest. If you’ve ever wondered what’s on the other side of 26.2—or just need a nudge to try something bigger—this one’s your green light.

We kick things off with a quick dash through a festive December 5K vibe, then unwrap our year-end Naughty & Nice List for 2025 races. On the Nice side, expect roaring crowd energy, buttery-smooth logistics, aid stations that absolutely delivered, medal-and-swag that made our racks smile, a course that felt like a postcard, and events that genuinely lifted the community. The Naughty list keeps it playful but honest: late starts that chilled the bones, confusing cones and signage, dry tables where water should’ve been, traffic a little too close for comfort, rinse-and-repeat swag, and a couple weather days straight from the North Pole. We share what worked, what needs a tweak, and quick fixes any race can use next year. Bring your own picks—one Nice and one Naughty—and let’s stuff the show mailbox with holiday cheer (and a few gentle lumps of coal).

This week on Second Wind, we sit down with Sam, a Kansas City runner whose quiet grit and generous spirit light up every start line. You’ve probably seen her out there: compact, powerful, and moving with purpose as she shares the course with her son, mile after mile. Sam walks us through our ten core questions with disarming honesty—how she started, what keeps her coming back, the hard days that taught her the most, and the community that makes each finish line feel like home. She talks about joy as a discipline, finding strength in small routines, and redefining “tough” in ways that go beyond pace or podiums. It’s an hour of heart, humor, and practical wisdom from a runner who leads by example. If you need a reminder that running can be both simple and profoundly brave, this conversation is your spark.

After a long layoff, Kyle laced ‘em up for a doubleheader weekend and brought back two fresh race reviews. First up: the second annual Nolan Davidson Champions Run 10K in KCK—solid organization, community heart, and plenty of course character to wake up the legs. Then it’s holiday cheer at the Jingle Bell Run 5K for the Arthritis Foundation, where costumes, cowbells, and a great cause turned miles into momentum. We talk start-line vibes, course flow, aid and finish experience, and the little moments that make local races worth showing up for. No time goals, just honest effort—and a reminder that racing with friends might be the best comeback plan of all. If you’re hunting for late-season events to circle next year, this episode puts two on the shortlist and spotlights a mission worth supporting.

We’re kicking off our December–January interview series with two familiar faces from the KC running scene: Kody & Katie. Newly engaged and endlessly energetic, they joined Kyle in studio for a wide-ranging, laugh-filled hour built around our ten signature questions. We talk origin stories, toughest days and biggest lessons, community, comeback moments, and the weird/wonderful things you only see on the run. It’s equal parts heart and hustle—two everyday runners sharing why this sport keeps pulling them back. You’ll hear about the people who shaped them, the moments that changed them, and the goals that keep them lacing up. Whether you’re chasing a PR or just need a nudge to get out the door, this conversation feels like a group run with friends. Settle in—this is runners talking running, the way it’s meant to be.

No races? No problem. Today Kyle flips the script and teaches you how to Spectate Like a Pro—the art of being a runner’s MVP on race day. From picking perfect cheer spots and timing your moves, to clutch sign ideas, smarter tracking, and the right words at the right mile, this episode turns sideline chaos into smooth, fun support. You’ll get real-world tips for hand-offs, finish-line aftercare, and capturing great photos without blocking the course. We cover group tactics, kid jobs, and the unspoken etiquette that keeps race day positive for everyone. Whether you’re crewing a PR attempt or cheering first-timers, you’ll walk away with a game plan that makes you the hero of someone’s big day.

For our Run the Reset finale, Kyle takes Second Wind on the road to Restore Hyper Wellness in Overland Park—and the vibe is all recovery, all optimism. We tour the studio, meet the team, and dig into how personalized, science-backed therapies can help runners recharge smarter through the winter. Kyle hops in the whole-body cryo chamber (hello, sub-zero!) and kicks back with compression therapy, sharing what it feels like and how these sessions can fit into a real runner’s week. From red light and infrared sauna to IV support and biomarker testing, we explore tools designed to boost recovery, consistency, and confidence. The staff’s energy is welcoming, the studio is spotless, and the menu of options makes “taking care of yourself” feel exciting—not like a chore. If you’re ready to rebuild after a long season (or you’re simply curious what a modern recovery studio is all about), this episode is your green light. Huge thanks to our friends at Restore Hyper Wellness – Overland Park for opening the doors and showing the Pack some next-level recovery love.

What happens when running—the thing that centers you, defines you, grounds you—gets ripped away? In this raw and unfiltered episode, Kyle opens up about the brutal reality of injury: two weeks sidelined, three races missed, and the anger that comes with watching your running crew cross finish lines without you. This isn't a "everything happens for a reason" pep talk. It's about the jealousy of scrolling through race photos, the guilt of letting your nutrition slip, the fear that you're losing everything you've worked for, and the mental warfare of wondering if you'll make it to Tokyo. If you've ever been injured, if you've ever felt like your body betrayed you at the worst possible time, or if you've ever had to sit on the sidelines while everyone else runs—this one's for you. No sugar coating. Just the truth about what injury actually feels like for runners who don't have time for setbacks but are facing them anyway.

This week we turn November’s Run the Reset lens toward something every runner needs when the temps drop: a workable winter routine. Kyle lays out simple, time-based templates that keep you consistent without chasing peak-season mileage, plus the “Rule of 3” anchors—one key run, one strength day, one easy session—to define a win even in chaotic weeks. We’ll talk Plan A/B/C thinking for outdoor, treadmill, or strength-only days so missed runs don’t snowball into lost momentum. You’ll get habit hacks (prep the night before, anchor pairing), boredom busters for the treadmill, and a quick safety checklist for dark, cold miles. We also cover strength moves that pay the biggest durability dividends and a dead-simple green-yellow-red system to know when to push or pull back. If winter usually knocks you off rhythm, this episode gives you a flexible blueprint to keep the streak alive—and your sanity intact.

This week isn’t a pity party—it’s a playbook. Kyle shares a candid knee update and then flips the script: how to stay a runner when you can’t log miles. We lay out a bench-time training plan (knee-friendly strength, core, and cardio), the recovery foundations that actually accelerate healing, and simple PT markers to track progress without obsessing over pace. You’ll get a quick checklist of smart questions to ask your surgeon or PT, plus practical ways to stay plugged into the running community even while sidelined. We wrap with a micro-goal scorecard to keep your head right and your comeback intentional. If you’re benched, burned out, or just between seasons—this episode hands you the roadmap.

This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast: Second Wind, we continue our Run the Reset series by taking on one of the hardest parts of recovery — the mental side. Kyle dives into the “post-race hangover” that so many runners feel once the medals are hung and the adrenaline fades. We talk about why it’s normal to lose motivation, how to quiet the negative voice in your head, and how to rediscover your why when running feels more like work than joy. From practical tools like journaling and unplugging from tracking apps, to learning to run just for fun again, this episode reminds us that resting the mind is every bit as important as resting the body. It’s not about giving up — it’s about remembering why you started.

We hit the road to Lincoln for the Good Life Halfsy and… let’s just say the weekend had range. From an expo with unexpected vibes to a race morning that felt like winter crashing the party, nothing went quite by the book—in the best “you had to be there” way. Kyle shares the little pre-start misadventure that nearly derailed his calm, the mid-race surprise that changed his game plan, and the finish-line moment that still made it all worth it. There’s talk of medals, community, and a frozen twist you won’t see coming. Plus, a quick peek at what’s next for The Pack (including a challenge weekend and a very intriguing themed race tip). Bundle up and press play.