Episode 13: Kinda About Running Gear - The Virtual Race Debate, Tokyo Drama, and Our Top 3 Gear Essentials

This week on Kinda Fast, Claire and Travis are breaking down the ins and outs of virtual races — what they are, why people do them, and whether they’re actually worth it.

In the news:

• A shocking DQ at the World Championships
• Claire’s chaotic race-day warm-up (spoiler: it involves a volunteer and a vehicle)
• Remembering Legend Jack Daniels

Plus, we each share our Top 3 pieces of running gear, from Goodr sunglasses to Garmin watches to Wolaco shorts vs. the legendary SPIbelt. Mitchell, our National Director, even chimes in with his rucking must-haves.

We close things out with some heartwarming Kinda Fast Feedback from the running community — reminding us why we love this sport (even when it’s messy).

🎧 Powered by Upward Running — where faith and fitness intersect. 💻 Learn more & join the movement: www.upwardrunning.com/kindafast

Episode 12 - How do you time your training so you’re ready to perform your best on race day? In this episode, Claire and Travis break down the phases of a training cycle—Base, Strength, Speed, and Taper—with guidance from Coach Dean on how to approach each one. You’ll also get a single “focus word” for each phase to help you stay consistent and confident as race day approaches.

We also dive into:

• What Does That Even Mean? — VO₂ Max explained in plain language and how to improve it
• Running news highlights: the 5th Avenue Mile, a 102-mile ultra in Boulder, a tribute to Sister Marion “The Flying Nun” Irvine, and an inspiring half marathon inside a Utah prison
• Kinda Fast Feedback — Listener questions on race course previews and how running changes across decades
• A faith tie-in from Galatians 6:9: “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Whether you’re training for your first 5K, dreaming of Boston, or grinding through your own peak week, this episode will help you trust the process, train with purpose, and keep running your race.

👉 Powered by Upward Running — a community where faith and fitness meet. Use code KINDAFAST for 2 weeks free at upwardrunning.com/kindafast.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review—it helps us out more than you know!

Fall race season is here, and we’re asking the big question: Am I actually ready for my race? In this episode, Claire and Travis break down how to know if your training prepared you, what to do if life got in the way, how to manage taper nerves, and the biggest mistakes to avoid on race day.

Plus:

• “What Does That Even Mean?” segment featuring Brick Runs explained by triathletes Coach Dean and Mitchell
• Running news: Sydney Marathon crowned a World Major, Diamond League Final highlights, Eliud Kipchoge, Sifan Hassan, and Sara Hall’s new book For the Love of the Grind
• Community spotlight: A thoughtful story from Upward Running member Rebecca Wang
• A fun Fall Running This or That game to celebrate the best season to be a runner

Whether you’re gearing up for your first 5K or chasing down a new PR, this episode will give you confidence, perspective, and encouragement for race day.

🎧 Join the Upward Running community at upwardrunning.com/kindafast and use code KINDAFAST for 2 weeks free on the RunClub App.