Listeners keep saying that the title is wrong, that everyone asked Des and Kara to start a podcast. That may or may not be true, but one thing that is definitely true: USATF and World Athletics didn't ask for this episode. They won't be listening even if they should. In it, Des and Kara talk about the state of the sport and how to draw in more fans.  From small crowds and missing stars at the recent LA Grand Prix to confusing Olympic Qualifying standards and the highly inflated USATF CEO salary, they talk in depth about the challenges for the sport and then give ideas for growing it.  As a bonus, you get their live reaction to learning of Faith Kipyegon's new 1500m world record and a classic Kara "rant" at the end that you won't want to miss. Someone put these two in charge!

13. The State of the Sport

Once competitors and Olympic teammates, now friends and podcast partners, Des Linden and Kara Goucher share their hot takes about all things running with a little bit of life-stuff sprinkled in too. Come for the insights on running and stay for the inspiration from two legends in the sport. No filter needed.

Sports

Running

"The suspense is terrible. I hope it'll last." - Willy Wonka. Sadly (or happily?) it didn't last... In this episode, you learn a little bit more about me (the podcast editor and show-notes writer) and what it's like to be a third wheel to two of the best to ever do it. Mine is the wobbly wheel to be sure.  You learn about how my role in this project came to be including some "behind-the-scenes" stories from the very beginning. We answer "pressing" questions like:  How did I get to know Des and Kara in the first place? How was the theme song chosen, especially in a period where Des and Kara were still feeling each other out? What's it like to run with Des at 5:15 am when she is going on 3 hours of sleep and sweating tequila through every pore? Are you still Texan if you've lost your accent and don't own cowboy boots? What does Willy Wonka have to do with any of it?  Then, we cover truly-pressing, nobody-asked-us topics such as the newly selected Kenyan marathon team and how Kosgei became the third wheel there. Gasp! Kara says the "N**e" word and shares some top-secret intel on the selection process, as we all daydream about how big and fun a Kenyan marathon trials could be. Plus naturally, you get our belated reaction to Beyonce's new album. It's not quite the TSwift level of discussion, but Jolene and Dolly and Miley all get appropriate mentions.  We finish with the Oiselle "Underbird" segment of the week and a "Top 4" that you won't want to miss if you care at all about the NAU word contest.  Now go use the code NOBODY10 at oiselle.com for 10% off on your first order. Do it for the pod while I happily slink off into the background again. 

2.13. The Third Wheel

Yes, it's been a long fortnight since the last Nobody Asked Us episode, but Taylor needed the space and so did we.  This episode starts innocently enough with an off-the-rails intro and then Des and Kara reveal the clandestine use of four contest words in past episodes. Kara illicitly tried to throw you off on the last one, but one lucky winner still figured it out. Thus, this episode brings two new words if you are ready to play their little game.  Before they dig into Boston and wish London "farewell," they give their freshy fresh thoughts on THE new double album, including the torturous decision of choosing a podium from the 31 songs. In the running world, we must ask ourselves was (the Trials in) Florida the drug or was it Boston after all? Plus, Des and Kara answer... "How could Hellen Obiri occupy such rare air?" and "Why didn't Sisay Lemma self-implode after taking it out so early?" and "What are the implications for the Kenya marathon team and who will be the odd man out?" The two then w̶a̶d̶e̶ cannonball into the great uniform debate with answers that might surprise you. And don't you worry folks, no one is taking out Des's teeth. This one wraps with another "Underbird" segment presented by Oiselle, and of course, an Olipop Top 5 talking about books, bourbon, and boys. There are no touchdowns necessary; the alchemy between Des and Kara is real! Don't forget to check out these opportunities mentioned in the episode:  Use code NOBODY10 for 10% off at oiselle.com for some amazing running apparel from Kara's sponsor! Get a free COROS accessory with your watch purchase (code: NOBODYASKED). Just add your favorite accessory to your cart–a band, piece of apparel, and more–and use code NOBODYASKED at checkout. Des and Kara’s COROS watch of choice is the COROS Pace 3: https://glnk.io/0mjrp/at-corosglobal. Use Des and Kara's Olipop link to help support the podcast. Click here.  Participate in the word contest by posting your picks for this week's two secret words on YouTube or Instagram. Winners might have a chance to pick the next two secret words! 

2.12. Taylor & Boston & Uniforms, Oh My!

You asked for it, and you are getting it! Des and Kara recorded this freshy fresh Boston Marathon recap at 10:15 pm on Marathon Monday after just enough beers. The most important detail, perhaps, is that they shut down the bar at the end of this one. They were literally kicked out of the Sam Adams Taproom in downtown Boston to end the show, the perfect mic drop after an epic weekend of racing for the two of them. You will hear the full back story on Kara’s successful mission to #destoryColt, including the complete shock to her system to navigate the challenges of the mass start. Bib pickup… “how does that work?” Gear check… “wait, what?” Lining up 20+ minutes early to be positioned well for the start… “this is crazy.” Despite these new hurdles, she “destroyed” Colt’s PR by 7 seconds to finish in 18:50 and declare open season on the new hashtag #destroyKara as Colt now seeks his revenge. Then, of course, you hear highlights from Des’s 11th Boston. Des talks about the difficulty of being marathon-sharp after a full weekend of events, shares her pre-race meal and pre-race vibes, and details the key moments in the race, including the words exchanged with Emma Bates when she caught the lead pack again at mile 15. Along the way, Kara gives her thoughts and emotions as the ultimate Des fangirl watching from the finish line on Boylston for the first time. Finally, they finish with the “Underbird” underdog of the week segment (sponsored by Oiselle), discussing an unlikely athlete who again made huge waves at the front of the race at the age of 44. Thank you to Oiselle for sponsoring this episode. Use code NOBODY10 for 10% off at oiselle.com for some amazing running apparel from Kara's sponsor!

2.11. The Freshy Fresh Boston Marathon 2024 Recap Episode

In this LIVE episode filmed at WBUR Cityspace in Boston, Des and Kara take you behind the scenes of the 2009, 2011, and 2018 Boston Marathons for an episode that will make you both laugh and cry. In 2009, Kara finished in an agonizing 3rd place in a podium battle that wasn't decided until Boylston, while Des watched from the stands. In 2011, Des finished in 2nd in a back and forth that had us all believing she could win until the closing meters of the race, while Kara ran her marathon PR for 5th place, just 6 months after having Colt. And we all know what happened in 2018 as a 33 year drought was finally broken. You get to hear Kara's reaction as she watches the 2009 finishing footage for the very first time and get behind the scenes details from all three races that weren't revealed in their books. This episode is a must listen for your spring race inspiration! Thank you to TCS, COROS, Olipop and WBUR for making this episode happen. We are excited to have COROS on as a new sponsor. COROS watches deliver the latest technology with personalized training solutions, unmatched battery life, and accurate dual-frequency GPS monitoring. For more from COROS:  You can get a free COROS accessory with your watch purchase. Just add your favorite accessory to your cart–a band, piece of apparel, and more–and use code NOBODYASKED at checkout. Des and Kara’s COROS watch of choice: https://glnk.io/0mjrp/at-corosglobal. Check out Des’ Marathon Workout Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKXWF8gV7mE&t;=2s.  Editor's Note: The YouTube version of this episode will be delayed as we process the video, but stay tuned.

2.10. Behind the Scenes of the Boston Marathon in 2009, 2011, and 2018

"This race is too hard for women. They are simply not tough enough to do it, and I get to say that for as long as it takes until someone proves me wrong." - Lazarus Lake, Race Director for the Barkley Marathons. Enter Jasmin Paris. Sorry Lazarus. But first, Des and Kara kick things off with their usual banter talking about solving the world's problems on a run, and perhaps relatedly or unrelatedly, Des's final prep for Boston, including her typical taper routine. Is Des a barely-taper or extreme-taper type of athlete, and has she ever gotten lost on a Boston Marathon course preview run? They also discuss their routines for picking running routes. Which of Des or Kara is the psycho who runs the same route every day?!? A serial killer trait to be sure... Then digging into recent events, you get their hottest takes on the results from World XC, the Barkley Marathons, and the NCAA Women's Basketball tournament, where the women are setting viewing records left and right. As a bonus, you learn the backstory of how Kara just missed her chance to be a late '90s version of Caitlin Clark. So, so close. Finally, the episode ends with a new segment sponsored by Oiselle where Des and Kara each give their "Underbird" underdog of the week performance. And if you are still underestimating women after this episode, then you can go for a cold, cold swim in a Lake. Don't forget to check out these opportunities mentioned in the episode:  Use code NOBODY10 for 10% off at oiselle.com for some amazing running apparel from Kara's sponsor! Stream a live episode of the Nobody Asked Us podcast, coming to you from Boston on Friday, April 12th at 7 pm ET. You can buy your streaming ticket for $5.00 here: https://www.wbur.org/events/902338/nobody-asked-us-with-des-kara-live. Special thanks to COROS for their support for this episode. You can get a free COROS accessory with your watch purchase. Just add your favorite accessory to your cart–a band, piece of apparel, and more–and use code NOBODYASKED at checkout. Des and Kara’s COROS watch of choice is the COROS Pace 3: https://glnk.io/0mjrp/at-corosglobal. Participate in the word contest by posting your picks for this week's two secret words on YouTube or Instagram. Winners might have a chance to pick the next two secret words! 

13. The State of the Sport

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