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For the last three years, running hasn't been about chasing personal records.

It's been about injuries, surgery, recovery, and learning to accept that the runner I am today isn't necessarily the runner I used to be.

And that's been harder to accept than I expected.

After looking back at my last six marathons, I started noticing something. The numbers told a story I wasn't really giving myself credit for.

From struggling through a 5:40 marathon before surgery to finishing my most recent race in 5:19, the progress is there. It just doesn't look like the progress I used to measure.

In this episode of the I Don't Know Running Podcast, Mitch and I talk about the physical and mental challenges of returning to running, adjusting expectations, and figuring out what success looks like when your goals have to change.

We also look ahead to three marathons in three months: Grand Rapids, Georgia, and Hawaii.

And those last two races could finally bring my journey of running a marathon in all 50 states to an end.

Can I get back under five hours? Will the Hawaiian heat have something to say about that? And more importantly, does the finishing time really matter anymore?

Because sometimes moving forward means accepting that your starting point has changed.

Thanks for listening, and as always, happy running!

#IDontKnowRunning #MarathonRunning #RunningRecovery #50StatesMarathon #RunningPodcast

Thanks for listening to the I Don't Know Running Podcast.

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If a group run starts at 6:30 AM, what does that actually mean?

Are your shoes tied, GPS connected, and feet moving at 6:30 sharp? Or is 6:30 just the time everyone starts rolling into the parking lot, looking for their hydration vest, hitting the bathroom, and finishing breakfast?

In this episode of The I Don’t Know Running Podcast, we’re talking about punctuality, running etiquette, and all the unwritten rules that come with running with other people.

We get into the chronically late running partner, the person who needs another 15 minutes after they arrive, whether there should be a grace period, and at what point it becomes perfectly acceptable to just start running without them.

But this goes beyond simply being late.

What happens when someone turns an easy run into a workout? When the group agrees on 12 miles and somebody suddenly wants to run 16? Or when one runner’s schedule starts affecting everyone else’s morning?

At the heart of it is a pretty simple question:

When you agree to run with someone, what exactly have you agreed to?

And of course, we need your help settling the big one:

If the run is scheduled for 6:30 AM, what time should your feet actually start moving?

Let us know in the comments — and tell us your best story about a running partner who was always late.

Thanks for listening to the I Don't Know Running Podcast.

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South Dakota, State #48, and a Finish Line Beer Scare

It took three years to finally get to South Dakota.

Between weather cancellations, injuries, health issues, deferrals, and travel problems, this race had already turned into a story long before the starting line.

Then race day actually happened.

And of course it came with bad food-truck decisions, confusing race logistics, camera issues, chafing, a surprisingly humid morning, and a finish line beer that was almost taken away.

In this episode, we talk about what it took to finally make this race happen, why South Dakota became state number 48, and what the Sioux Falls Marathon was actually like once Mitch finally got there.

We also get into the course itself, the race setup, the hotel and travel logistics, the unexpected little hills, the zoo sightings on course, and the kind of race-day moments that somehow become the most memorable part of the trip.

And along the way, Lewis gives an update on finally getting his MRI and where things stand with his knee.

Sometimes the biggest win is just finally making it to the starting line.

Have you ever had a race that took years to finally happen, or a race weekend that turned into more of an adventure than you expected?

Thanks for listening to the I Don't Know Running Podcast.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

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