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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 already rare (and what “rare” actually means)

Why 50K is the most “accessible” ultra

Why 50 miles is where the sport shifts into management mode

Why the 100-mile distance is a psychological breaking point (and the DNF reality)

The wild world of 200-mile events: dirt naps, hiking, and multi-day survival

Why the ultra community feels different — and why that matters

⚠️ Note: We reference several stats and percentages that are best understood as directionally accurate (databases vary and participation tracking isn’t perfect). The goal is the big idea: how quickly the field narrows as distance increases.

If you’ve ever wondered “Am I really an ultrarunner?” or felt the pressure of “the next thing”… this one’s for you.

Question for you: What distance felt like the biggest shift for you — marathon, 50K, 50 miles, or 100?

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#runningpodcast #ultrarunning #marathontraining #trailrunning

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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 cold, snow, age, stress, and life circumstances skew your data

Why calorie burn numbers are often wildly off

Recovery scores, HRV, and when it’s okay to ignore your watch

Using trends instead of single data points

Learning to trust effort, feel, and experience again

This episode is for runners who love data — but don’t want to be ruled by it. As we age, train through real life, and run in imperfect conditions, expectations need to reset. Your watch is a tool… not the truth.

Listen, question the numbers, and reclaim your training.

🎙️ New episodes available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.
📱 Follow us for more conversations about running — and the things we’re still figuring out.

Until then, happy running. 🏃‍♂️

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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 adventures in incredible places like Japan, the Alps, and beyond

🏕️ Multi-Day Stage Races — where recovery becomes the race

🏃 Running Camps for Adults — skill building, community, and immersive training experiences

We also talk training approaches, fueling strategies, costs, logistics, and the kind of runner each format is best suited for. If you’ve ever felt burned out on traditional races—or just curious what else is out there—this episode is for you.

👉 Question for you:
If you had a free week and anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000, where would you choose to run in 2026?

Drop your answer in the comments 👇

🎙️ The I Don’t Know Running Podcast — honest conversations about running, adventure, and why we keep showing up.

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