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Yep, that's right. This encore belongs to Mark and is well deserved! If the "analytics" are right, he, to date, is the most listened to episode and deservedly so!

Enjoy!

It will come to no shock to many, Universal Sole takes the ultimate win!

More importantly, if you remember, Joel's episode was one of the ones that got lost. Fortunately, he had time to share some new stories with me! I knew that he had a connection with F3 but did I know Charles "Peanut" Tillman would have come up in the conversation? I also love Joel taking the time to thank Will Bridge and tell about their history. He also took a minute to explain the the story of Sean McNamara; the Valentine's Trail Challenge in February is dedicated to this trail runner who lost their life while running on a trail.

Yeah, I talk as well. I discuss the episode where I was the guest and dole out some much deserved thanks to many people.

What a great way to close out 2024.

As we are well into the holidays, I decided Marty and I both needed a little break to today and next Thursday have special encore presentations.

Nicole was the first guest and it seems only right for her to have the first encore spot; that and the fact she was a perfect person to fill that first guest spot.

Happy holidays everyone!

I thought after all these weeks of race reviews, now was a great time to take a look behind the scenes (thus also avoiding the F3 vs. USole decision).  

Jonathan did not disappoint; I mean, I’ve been around races for quite a while and he even had me thinking differently on a number of things.

While we don’t want to know how the sausage is made, we do need to respect the process if for no other reason than race directors deserve that respect.  Jonathan acts as race director for both the Wisconsin Marathon and the Evanston Flying Turkey and explains small independent race directors are certainly not doing this for the money and fame.  They do it because they love doing it so can we just do our part to not make things harder?

That being said, if you are someone who did the thing that I referred to as “the dumbest thing ever”, I won’t apologize for my gut reaction.  I will admit to being schooled on how it could happen and will do my best to help educate those not in the know.

Whaaaat? Yes, you read that right. The host was the guest and the editor was the host AND the editor!

Yes, the story about "running" a "half-marathon" one treadmill at a time is completely true; the things I did for a Tiffany key chain in 2007.

Oof! You can tell I had a great time doing this episode but if my mouth would just let my mind catch up!

The finalists in my bracket are finally revealed; or are they?

I had a really good time talking with Ksenia. It was a perfect example of why I love this podcast. It didn't feel like an interview; more like a conversation between friends. You just never know someone else's story until you ask.

Oh boy, can you see the exhaustion? This was a rough one; the shoot and the edit.

Buuuuut.....super thrilled to have another surprise guest on. Thanks Terrence for hoping on and helping me announce the F3 vs. Lincolnwood match up. Too bad we did not agree but you talking about F3 was priceless!

Also, is there an answer yet to Headbanger vs. Des Plaines Dash?

The man; the myth; the "must touch the oven to prove that it's hot".

Felix shares his story of how and why he started and you won't believe where he is now! He takes the definition of determination to a whole new level!

So many things in this episode but let me clarify first; the really really cold year at F3 was 2019! What else was I wrong about? Probably a lot.

But, for those of you wondering which one moved ahead; Headbanger or Des Planes? Does dissapontment loom ahead?

I mean, just listen to the voice. Even if you aren't into running, Andy has a great calm southern gift of gab.

But he also comes with amazing stories and sage advice. Remember, just because everyone else is doing it, does that mean you have to as well?

This, by far, is my favorite solo episode to date. I think I'm finally hitting a rhythm and have successfully gotten my retake count to the single digits.

Big bracket episode! I catch you all up and review not 2, but 4 races; Run for the Roses, Run to Read, Headbanger 5K, and the Des Plaines Dash. You will not believe the stories about the last two! I'm very lucky to have photo proof!

Grateful am I to have guests that understand tech issues ! This was the second attempt and I was "running" on fumes after being the photographer that morning at the Fast Track Cross Country race presented by Xtra Mile Running!

I’m so glad Dan reminded me of our first interaction. There’s something special about bonding over 14-inch hot dogs—laughing, cracking jokes, and sharing a ridiculous moment that made it all feel so special (thanks ChatGPT).

What is there to say about this episode besides please, please, please watch it if you can? Absolutely listen, but you will be missing lots of facial expressions, a background change, and a case of the shakes!

Yup, this one has three guests and we discuss the importance of support and volunteering as part of our running community.

Enjoy!

I got to sit down with one of my oldest friends Ben to discuss all things running, and even some bowling!

This episode is unfortunately without video because you really do have to be careful about which files you delete. But it is a great listen and I hope you enjoy!

Oof, this one hurt. Pod casting is hard; my computer crashed hard today and I ended up losing two unedited episodes.

But I have the best guests ever and they will be redone! For now, enjoy learning which race from last week moves forward. The match up this week is the Garmin Half in Olathe, Kansas and the Cellcom Green Bay Half.

And just because I'm talking about Green Bay, you should still listen.

The retake! I sat down again with my editor, Marty, and his wife, Liz. If you haven't had a chance to watch the video on any of the podcasts, this is the one. I'm not sure Liz's eyes could have gotten any wider at the thought of a post-race measurement session.

Welcome to Sunday! This week my friend Chelsea hopped on to help me announce the winner of last week's matchup.

Then I discuss U-Sole and the Viking Dash.

It may have been born out of exhaustion, but this is a great episode!

Back in my living room for this one. Chris was a fabulous, albeit, reluctant guest and I enjoyed are chat so much!

And now I know the real reason he never wears yellow to a marathon.

Probably my absolute favorite episode to date. They just keep getting better and better! The winner of last week's match up is revealed, two more runs are on the chopping block, and I have a special guest that stunned me into silence! Enjoy! 

Holy penny! This episode with USATF Certified Coach and fellow Swifter John McCarthy! We talk Strava Mafia, creepy carousels, and training slow to go fast.

And if you happen to speak Icelandic, give John a hand!

Be sure to check out the photos posted on Instagram, Facebook, or my website. Those medals are sick

Welcome to the episode that makes me so thankful for my editor, Marty! The amount of times I say um or uh; I really need to work on that!

But this is a good one! Listen to my experiences at the Wicked Half and the S-no-W Fun Run. Which do you think is moving on in the bracket?

This one is a hoot! I get a chance to catch up with Ashlie from the "Advice from the Cheerbrarian" podcast.

Not sure how we went from horse tracks to Alexi Pappas but you're going to like this one!

Not the episode I planned, but I hope you enjoy it.

In Memory of

Michael Kanalas Sr.

1/27/54 - 10/11/2024

Welcome to this week's guest episode where I virtually sit down with Mark and somehow the conversation turns to dog collars and weiner races!

Check out our website or Instagram to see the photos of Mark's medals that were discussed!

This is a big one with a lot of name dropping! Thank you to everyone who has reached out with words of encouragement. I talk about my interview with Nicole that was released last Tuesday and start the race elimination process. Today, it’s Pettit Indoor Race Marathon vs. 4 on the 4th! Which one will advance?

And our first guest is Nicole! She joined me for an in-person chat!

Her bad swag is BAAADDD and the medals she brought are so cool! Photos of them available for view on the website: theflyingpigproject.com

Oh my god! A PODCAST??? Are you kidding??

In this first episode, I'm able to thank some wonderful people, explain how this all started and give an introduction of the race bracket! Hope you will give it a listen!