This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast, we sit down with local runner, pacer, and race ambassador Katie A. to talk all things running and community. Katie shares her running beginnings, including her very first race at the Garmin Kansas City Marathon in 2019, and how the sport has shaped her journey ever since. We hear about her engagement to fellow runner and pack favorite, Kody, her memorable race weekend at Disneyland, and her upcoming trip to Berlin. Plus, Katie gives listeners her ambassador code KATIEKCM for the Garmin Kansas City Marathon on October 18, 2025, and we reveal how you can win a free entry into the race! Packed with personal stories, future goals, and a little marathon magic, this episode is all about celebrating milestones on and off the course.

This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast: Second Wind, we kicked off our Stress Month series with a deep dive into how stress affects the nervous system and the cardiovascular system. Stress isn’t just in your head—it hijacks your body, too.

We break down how constant tension can make runners feel overtrained without the miles, why recovery slows when your nervous system won’t shut down, and how elevated heart rates can sabotage both training and daily life. From poor reaction time on the trails to pounding hearts during morning meetings, we show how stress hits everyone, not just athletes.

If you’ve ever wondered why your easy runs feel hard, or why your heart pounds at the wrong times, this episode unpacks the physical toll stress takes on your head and heart.

It was a packed holiday weekend for the Back of the Pack crew! In this episode, Kyle recaps three very different Labor Day weekend races. First up: the debut of the Ottawa Half Marathon, a brand-new event from KC Running Company that steps in where the Lagerhead Half left off. Then it’s on to the Always & Furever 5K at Lexington Lake Park, a family-friendly event supporting a local dog rescue. Finally, we close out the long weekend at the Leawood Labor Day 5K, put on by the Leawood Rotary Club. Three races in three days, it’s safe to say the back of the pack didn’t take this holiday off!

This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast: Second Wind, we close out our “March to 200” series with a celebration of the people who made it possible. After last week’s milestone episode packed with guest messages, we take a moment to give each contributor their flowers—acknowledging the support, encouragement, and fun they’ve brought to the show along the way. From fellow podcasters to Patreon supporters to long-time friends of the Pack, this episode is all about gratitude. It’s short, it’s heartfelt, and it’s the perfect bow to tie around our 200th celebration. Whether you’ve been here since episode one or just joined us recently, this one’s for the community that keeps us running forward together.

This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast, we had a little bit of everything — racing, community, and even a run fueled by tacos. We kick things off with a breakdown of the Summer Sizzle 10K in Overland Park on a cool'ish August morning. Then we shift gears to celebrate the first official run of the Chasing Rabbits Run Club at Discourse Brewery, where our “no runner left behind” promise came to life. From there, we highlight one of the most bizarre listener-submitted races we’ve ever heard of: the Taco Bell Ultramarathon in Denver — equal parts hilarious and horrifying. And to wrap things up, we preview a packed weekend ahead with the Ottawa Half Marathon, Always & Furever 5K, and the Leawood Labor Day 5K. Whether you’re chasing PRs, chasing rabbits, or just chasing tacos, this episode has something for every runner at the back of the pack.

Two hundred episodes. Three years of stories, races, laughs, lessons, and community. This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast, we celebrate a milestone that belongs to every member of the pack. To mark episode 200, we opened the mic to the voices that have been with us along the way — fellow podcasters, Patreon supporters, friends of the show, and the runners who’ve become family. What started as one guy and a microphone has grown into something so much bigger: a community where every pace is welcome and no runner is ever left behind. This episode is a thank you, a reflection, and a celebration of what we’ve built together. Here’s to the next 200 miles, stories, and finish lines at the back of the pack.

This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast, we recap a packed weekend of racing with two 10Ks back-to-back. First up: the Rexy Run in Lawrence, KS, celebrating its 10th year of supporting Baby Jay’s Legacy of Hope and the families it serves. Then we hit the pavement again for the Hearts for Ronald McDonald House Charities 10K, another powerful community race with a meaningful cause. But both events had one major opponent — the weather. With real-feel temps pushing near 100 degrees, sky-high humidity, and dew points in the 70s, it wasn’t just a test of fitness — it was survival mode. We break down how extreme heat affects the body and the mind, and why struggling in those conditions doesn’t mean you’re a weak runner. If you laced up this weekend, you’re tougher than you think — because finishing in those conditions is an accomplishment all its own.

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.