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Marathon #180 is complete... and somehow it turned into one of the most memorable races yet.

After months of medical setbacks, almost no training, and serious doubts heading into Alaska, I was convinced this was going to be another difficult marathon. Instead, the Mayor's Marathon in Anchorage became a reminder that running isn't always about fitness or finishing times.

Sometimes it's about adapting.
Sometimes it's about the people you meet.
And sometimes it's about simply proving to yourself that you can still keep moving forward.

In this episode, we talk about:

Why Alaska almost didn't happen
The medical issues leading into race day
The strategy that unexpectedly worked
The fellow 50 Stater who helped make the final miles disappear
Why the Mayor's Marathon is one of the most underrated races in the country
Marathon #180 and the countdown to completing all 50 states

With only South Dakota, Georgia, and Hawaii remaining, the finish line of this journey is finally coming into view.

If you've ever stood on a starting line wondering whether you belonged there, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

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The 2026 Western States 100 wasn't just another edition of America's most iconic ultramarathon—it completely rewrote the history books.

Jim Walmsley's legendary course record that many thought might stand for years? Gone.

Courtney Dauwalter's iconic women's record? Gone too.

Four men ran faster than the previous course record. Jennifer Lichter became the fastest woman in Western States history in her very first 100-mile race. Meanwhile, trail-running legends Jim Walmsley and Kilian Jornet never even reached the finish line.

In this episode of the *I Don't Know Running Podcast*, we're breaking down one of the most astonishing days ultrarunning has ever seen.

We'll discuss:
• How Vincent Bouillard became the first runner ever under 14 hours.
• Jennifer Lichter's record-breaking debut and what it means for women's ultrarunning.
• Hans Troyer's fearless early attack that changed the entire race.
• Why so many favorites—including Walmsley and Jornet—ended with DNFs.
• The incredible depth of both the men's and women's fields.
• And the question everyone is already asking...

Will Courtney Dauwalter come back to reclaim her Western States crown?

If you love trail running, ultramarathons, or simply witnessing history in our sport, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

🎧 New episodes every week from the *I Don't Know Running Podcast*.

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A hot race forecast sends a lot of runners into panic mode.

Suddenly they're running in sweatshirts, avoiding air conditioning, cutting back on water, and trying to cram heat training into the final two weeks before race day.

But does it actually work?

In this episode of the I Don't Know Running Podcast, we dive into one of the most misunderstood topics in endurance sports: heat training.

We discuss:
🏃 Why last-minute heat training usually backfires
💧 The difference between heat adaptation and dehydration
🔥 When heat acclimation actually works
⚠️ The real risks of severe dehydration and heat illness
📉 Why most runners would benefit more from better sleep, hydration, and consistent mileage
🎯 Practical strategies for handling hot race conditions safely

Most importantly, we introduce a simple rule:

If you don't know what you're doing... just don't.

Sometimes the smartest race strategy isn't finding a miracle solution—it's slowing down, adjusting expectations, and respecting the conditions.

What about you? Have you ever changed your race plan because of a hot forecast? Have you had a race fall apart because of the heat?

Let us know in the comments.

#Running #MarathonTraining #HeatTraining #RunningPodcast #Marathon #Ultrarunning #EnduranceSports #RunningTips

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