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I Don't Know Running
I Don't Know Running
Author: Lewis Hayden and Mitch Brouwer
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© 2026 I Don't Know Running
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The I Don't Know Running podcast is about how we're all learning to run in some way or another. Whether you're just starting to run a mile or you've ran 100's of marathons and are now in the ultra world, this is for you. We all continue to learn and have something to share. So join us in the discussion and help us make everyone's running experience better. We will talk about our experiences, your experiences, gear, races, and much more.
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Send a text If you pull out your phone during an Ironman race in 2026… you could be disqualified. No selfies. No GoPros. No smart glasses recording. Starting March 2, 2026, Ironman has officially banned athletes from recording photos or video while racing. Violation? Immediate DQ. You can carry your phone. You can use it for GPS. You can call for help. But you cannot actively record your race experience. Ironman says this is about: • Athlete safety • Competitive fairness • Reducing distr...
Send a text He ran 56:42. He shattered the half marathon world record by 48 seconds. And it doesn’t count. World Athletics declined to ratify Jacob Kiplimo’s performance at the Barcelona Half Marathon — not for doping, not for traditional cheating — but because of alleged pacing assistance from the lead vehicle and possible in-race coaching. So… where’s the line? In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, we talk about: • Whether drafting behind a lead car should invalidate a ...
Send a text Trail runners talk about Leave No Trace. But what about road runners? In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, we dive into the unwritten rules of road running — the small behaviors that shape how the public sees runners. Because running isn’t a solo sport. Drivers see you. Walkers see you. Homeowners see you. Cyclists see you. And whether we realize it or not, every runner represents all runners. We talk about: Running group etiquette (two-abreast awareness) S...
Send a text Endurance isn’t a straight line — it’s a steep curve. In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch break down the “endurance curve”: how each distance milestone (5K → marathon → 50K → 50 miles → 100 miles → 200+) filters runners out for totally different reasons. Past a certain point, it stops being “fitness” and becomes life management — nutrition, decision-making, heat, sleep deprivation, and emotional regulation. We talk about: Why the marathon is alr...
Send a text Are your running watch numbers telling you the truth — or just a convincing story? In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, we dig into what your watch can tell you… and where it quietly gets things wrong. From heart rate and VO₂ max to calorie burn, recovery time, and HRV, we talk about why wearable data often feels precise — but isn’t always accurate. We cover: Why wrist-based heart rate can spike or “cadence lock” VO₂ max: badge of honor or educated guess? How ...
Send a text What if your next running goal wasn’t about a PR… but about the experience? In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch talk through non-traditional running events that are less about racing the clock and more about racing the landscape, navigating terrain, and building unforgettable memories. We dive into: 🧭 Adventure Racing — team-based navigation, trekking, biking, paddling, and thinking your way through the course ✈️ Runcations — guided running adv...
Send a text In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, we dig into a question a lot of long-distance runners quietly wonder about: What does ultrarunning actually do to your body over the long term? This isn’t an episode meant to scare anyone away from endurance sports. Instead, we talk honestly about what science does know, what it doesn’t, and how real runners experience these things in real life. We discuss: How long-term endurance training reshapes the heart and cardiovascular s...
Send a text Winter running hits different in Michigan—one day you’re “getting it done,” the next you’re sliding around wondering why you even left the house. 😅 In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch get into a super practical (and slightly ranty) conversation about treadmills: Why so many treadmills turn into $2,000 clothes hangers The real reason specs matter: body weight, impact, and durability What “CHP” (continuous horsepower) actually means for runners ...
Send a text What do your running dreams actually mean? In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch dive into the strange, vivid, and sometimes stressful dreams runners experience — from being late to the starting line, to legs that won’t move, to those magical dreams where you’re flying effortlessly down the trail. We explore how sleep, training load, stress, and recovery all influence dream content, and what those dreams might be telling you about your performance,...
Send a text Pacing isn’t just about splits, GPS watches, or fitness — it’s about decision-making under stress. In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch dive deep into the psychology of pacing and why so many runners blow up before fatigue ever truly sets in. From race-day adrenaline and comparison traps to fear-based pacing and watch obsession, we unpack the mental mistakes that quietly sabotage great races. But this episode goes beyond running. We explore how m...
Send a text Running in your 50s is different—and that’s not a bad thing. In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, we talk honestly about what changes as runners get older: slower recovery, new aches and pains, declining speed, shifting motivation, and learning to let go of chasing PRs. We also share what still works, what needs to change, and how adjusting expectations can actually make running more enjoyable and sustainable. We cover: - Why speed and VO₂ max decline with age (...
Send a text Winter is here, the roads are icy, and somehow our houses are falling apart — so naturally, we decided to talk about Christmas gifts for runners 🎄🏃♂️ In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch break down the best gift ideas for runners at every price point, from easy stocking stuffers to big-ticket items you only buy for someone you really love (or yourself). We cover: Budget-friendly stocking stuffers every runner actually uses Cold-weather essentia...
Send a text How far do you really have to go before you’re “remote”? Spoiler: not as far as you think. In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running podcast, Lewis and Mitch talk about how quickly a simple run, walk, or short hike can turn into a serious situation when you’re underprepared—whether you’re a mile from the house, on a local trail, or dropping down to the Western States Trail after a race. What starts as a story about a windy walk with the grandkids and a “quick” hike out west tu...
Send a text In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch dive deep into the hilarious, confusing, and sometimes awkward language barrier between runners and non-runners. From “easy runs” that aren’t actually easy, to why runners own more shoes than they have feet, we unpack the quirks that make running culture so unique. Mitch also shares updates on his string of doctor visits, the ongoing search for answers, and what it’s like getting back into running slowly — only ...
Send a text Lewis and Mitch hit record deep in a gray fog, fresh off mid-day naps and low brainpower… so of course they talk about the thing that keeps ultrarunners going when everything feels bleak: aid station food. In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running podcast, they break down the classic, the weird, and the downright magical foods that can save your race—from salty potatoes and pickle juice to Coke, ramen, grilled cheese, and mashed potatoes. They share stories from races like Tunn...
Send a text This week on the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch dive into one of the wildest, most chaotic, and downright unbelievable events in running history: the 1904 St. Louis Olympic Marathon. But first… Lewis got NEW CONTACTS and he’s telling literally everyone. 😂 Mitch tries to keep him on track (he fails), but eventually they shift gears into the true highlight of this episode: a marathon so outrageous it sounds fictional. 🔥 Inside This Episode: Why starting a marathon ...
Send a text What makes a marathon truly iconic? Is it the history, the challenge, the crowds — or the story behind the miles? In this episode, Lewis and Mitch explore the most historic and legendary marathons from around the world. From the ancient origins of the race in Greece to modern greats like Boston, London, Chicago, and New York, they unpack what makes these events so meaningful to runners everywhere. 🏛️ The Ancient Athens Marathon — where it all began 🏃♂️ Boston & Yonkers — Am...
Send a text In this episode, Lewis survives grasshopper season 🌱🦗 and discovers a wild new fitness challenge — combining golf and an ultra run. Yes… someone ran 92 miles and played 810 holes of golf in 24 hours. New life goal? Maybe. 😅 Meanwhile, Mitch celebrates a BIG win — not running today — and reflects on rebuilding fitness, embracing rest, and hitting his first 5-mile run again. 👏 Then, we dive into the Running Paradox: how different cultures view running — from spiritual journeys in ...
Send a text We went all-in on the California Fall Classic 100K—remote aid, relentless climbing, and a day that turned into a masterclass in ultra mindset. Lewis ran ~50 miles (≈11,000 ft gain) before pulling the plug at Warm Springs, and this episode is the honest debrief: what went right, what tanked, and how to fix it next time. What’s inside Course reality check: almost no flat; it’s either up or down Crew logistics: easy to crew, minimal cell service, simple station access The hard mi...
Send a text This week on the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch are soaking in race week vibes — the California Fall Classic 100K is here, and Lewis hopes he’s celebrating a finish by the time you hear this one! Between healthy-eating jokes, beet salad debates, and a surprise virtual 100-miler signup attempt 🤣, the guys dive into something we all need more of: getting off the pavement and finding peace on the trails. Join them as they unpack: 🌲 Why trail running (and time in natu...



