This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast: Second Wind, the Road to 200 takes a big step off the mic and onto the streets. We’re introducing the Chasing Rabbits Running Club, our brand-new community run club in partnership with Discourse Brewery. This isn’t just about logging miles — it’s about building on three years of friendship, laughter, and the “no runner left behind” promise that’s been at the heart of the podcast since day one. We talk about where the idea came from, what you can expect at our first meet-up on August 21st, and why this club is for everyone, regardless of pace. From the turtle shell tradition to post-run hangs at the brewery, we’re creating a space where connection matters more than competition. Whether you’re local and ready to join in person or a listener who wants to represent from afar, this is your invitation to run with the pack. Because now, the Back of the Pack runs together.

This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast, we lace up in Greenwood, MO for the second annual Run to Bless 5K, an event supporting Fellowship Church and the mission trips they fund. We break down the race experience, the course, and the community spirit that made it a great Saturday morning run. Then, we shift to one of our favorite causes: the upcoming Rexy Run 5K, 8K, & 10K in Lawrence, KS. We sit down with Race Director Kristina to talk about this special 10th anniversary event, benefiting Baby Jay’s Legacy of Hope — an organization helping families cover expenses while their children battle cancer. The Back of the Pack Podcast is proud to sponsor a mile of this race and be featured on every runner’s giveaway bag. We want to see you out there on August 16th to help make this Rexy Run the biggest year yet!

This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast: Second Wind, we’re celebrating the voices that have helped our pack grow. Over the years, our guests have brought stories, energy, and whole new communities into the fold — each one leaving their own unique mark. Some inspired listeners to take on new races, others sparked donations or volunteer work, and many became ongoing friends of the show. We revisit some of the most memorable conversations, laugh about moments that still make us smile, and reflect on how these voices helped shape the Back of the Pack into what it is today. Whether they joined us to share training tips, talk about a cause close to their heart, or simply swap race-day stories, they’ve all played a part in growing this community. This episode is a love letter to everyone who’s run alongside us — on the mic, on the course, and in spirit — as we keep moving toward episode 200.

This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast, we lace up for the Spencer C. Duncan “Make It Count” 5K in Gardner, KS — a powerful community event that honors a fallen hero and reminds us why we run. But after crossing that finish line, we shift gears and talk about something a little heavier: what happens when we sign up for a big, exciting goal… and then totally freeze. Yep, we’re talking goal paralysis — that weird brain loop where motivation vanishes and the training plan becomes a ghost you’re afraid to open. Host Kyle shares his own story of signing up for his first 50-miler (and immediately pretending it didn’t happen), and dives into the psychology behind why runners sometimes stall out after the sign-up high fades. From perfectionism to fear of failure, we break it down in real, relatable terms — and offer practical tips to break the freeze and get moving again. This one’s for anyone who’s ever looked at their race calendar and thought: “What have I done?”

Every journey starts somewhere — and for The Back of the Pack Podcast, that “somewhere” involved closet recording, clunky editing, and the hope that maybe someone out there would listen. In this kickoff to our Road to 200 series, we rewind all the way back to episode one and share how the show began, what inspired it, and the hilarious stumbles along the way. From awkward first recordings to the surprising messages that made it all worth it, this episode is a love letter to starting messy and sticking with it. We talk about the spark that lit the mic, the early listeners who gave us a reason to keep going, and the milestones that built the foundation for nearly 200 episodes of running community goodness. Whether you've been here since day one or just found us last week, this episode will remind you how far we’ve come — together. Hit play, take a jog down memory lane, and help us kick off the countdown to 200. Spoiler: we’re just getting started.

While Kyle is out of town, The Back of the Pack Podcast hands the mic to one of our favorite guest hosts — Karin Velez from the Just Grow Something Podcast. This week, Karin brings her science-based expertise and Marine Corps mindset to explore the power of novel stimulus in your running routine. She explains how runners often hit a plateau — mentally and physically — due to a concept called General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS). When your training becomes predictable, your body stops responding. Enter the SAID principle — Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands — which explains why changing things up is key to unlocking progress. Karin shares how to keep your runs interesting without overtraining, burnouts, or breakdowns, using real-world tactics and military discipline. If you’ve been stuck in a rut, this episode is your blueprint for shaking things up and sparking new growth — without losing your back-of-the-pack spirit.

This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast: Second Wind, we bring our Run the Nation series home with a celebration of the heartland — the Central States. From the wide-open plains of Kansas to the lakeside charm of Minnesota and the rolling hills of Missouri, we highlight ten essential races that showcase the region’s quiet strength and undeniable running spirit. Kyle reflects on his own roots in this part of the country, where runners are humble, weather-tough, and always cheering for each other no matter the pace. Whether you’re gunning for a PR on a flat Nebraska course or just trying to survive the hills of Kansas City, the Midwest has something for every runner. We’ll talk about the race culture, unpredictable weather, and that distinct community vibe that makes these miles feel more grounded and more real. If you’ve ever trained in sideways wind or finished a race with frost in your beard and a smile on your face, this one’s for you.

This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast, we head to Buckner, Missouri for one of the most brutal events you’ve probably never heard of — Summer Argo. Calling it a “race” might be generous, since this officially classified “group run” skips the timing mats, aid stations, and course monitors in favor of raw grit and punishing hills. With over 2,200 feet of elevation gain, no closed roads, and a 9:00 a.m. summer start time designed to turn up the heat, this event is less about medals and more about survival. Only 46 runners dared sign up — 44 showed up, and every single one of them finished. In this episode, we break down the challenge, the community, and what it takes to conquer Argo Road when the sun is high and the pavement’s melting. No shade, no shortcuts — just sweat, suffering, and a whole lot of character-building. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to run straight into the fire, this one’s for you.

Sorry for the audio issues! We'll have it cleaned up by next episode!

This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast: Second Wind, our Run the Nation series heads south — where the miles are sweaty, the smiles are big, and every finish line feels like a family reunion. Kyle shares his personal stories of running the humid roads of Memphis, Gulf Shores, Biloxi, and more — including the only DNF that still nags at him (and why he’s going back for sweet redemption). We’ll break down ten must-run Southern races, from Atlanta’s iconic Peachtree Road Race to the pirate party of Gasparilla and the bourbon-soaked relay through Kentucky’s distilleries. Along the way, we celebrate what makes the South so special: warm welcomes, post-race BBQ, medals shaped like pigs and pirate ships, and aid stations that feel like your grandma’s porch. The Southern running scene is less about speed and more about showing up, sticking it out through the heat, and raising a toast together at the end. So grab your sweet tea, sit back, and get ready to plan your next humid adventure — because these Southern miles will stick with you long after the sweat dries.

Ever wondered if you can just add more miles to cancel out late-night pizza and gas station snacks? Spoiler: you can’t — and that’s exactly what we’re tackling this week on The Back of the Pack Podcast. We kick things off with a quick rundown of the Sunglasses 5K from this past Saturday — sun, fun, and a few shady characters (pun intended). Then we get real about that classic saying: “You can’t outrun a bad diet.” No lectures here — just one back-of-the-pack runner admitting we’ve all tried to cheat the system with junk food and extra miles. From surprise mid-run stomach disasters to the energy crashes we pretend are just ‘bad days,’ we talk about why what we eat really does show up in our shoes. And don’t worry — we keep it real with simple, realistic ways to do just a little better, without turning your life into a kale salad cult. Lace up, grab a snack (maybe not a whole pizza?), and join us for some honest talk about fueling the miles we love.