In today’s episode, the Chicks dive into how Strava could be turned into the ultimate dating app for runners – made complete with a “Getting Chicked” badge, of course! Karen also gives some of her own updates on using dating apps. We also share our thoughts on Chipotle's Strava segment challenge where runners in Chicago have been running a 0.2-mile segment to try and win free Chipotle for a year.

Rachel hits us with her first receipts of 2025, where she compares weather conditions across some of the most popular marathons in the U.S. Megan also gives us an update on training as she enters her eighth month of pregnancy. We cap off the episode with some of our recent running-related favorites!

Time stamps:

0:48 - Rachel’s training over Christmas

6:24 - Megan's running + pregnancy updates 

11:42 - Chipotle’s Strava segment challenge

20:42 - Karen’s dating app updates  

25:17 - How to turn Strava into a dating app

31:57 - Rachel’s receipts: marathon comparison based on weather 

39:29 - How Karen, Rachel, and Megan would choose marathons based on weather 

42:37 - Marathons based on humidity 

47:38 - Marathons based on rain 

48:45 - Marathons based on heat 

54:27 - Marathons based on cold

55:35 - Marathons based on wind

1:00:23 - Chicago marathon being the most unpredictable in terms of weather 

1:03:45 - Weekly product favorites

Mentioned in this episode…

– Nike Pegasus Shield / Nike Pegasus 41 GORE-TEX (waterproof running shoes)

– Chobani High Protein Mixed Berry Vanilla

– Tracksmith Brighton Base Layer 

– Ornaments from Gone For A Run

YOUR HOSTS

– Karen Lesiewicz | @kare_les on Instagram

– Rachel DaDamio | @rdadamio on X

– Megan Connelly | @meganmorantwwe on Instagram

FOLLOW OUR SHOW

– Subscribe on Apple Podcasts here

– Follow on Spotify here

– Follow the show on Instagram here

The Getting Chicked New Year’s special is here! In our last episode of 2024, Karen, Rachel, and Megan reflect on their favorite moments from the past year and chat about their biggest running goals for 2025. Karen and Rachel also share their hopes for the Boston Marathon and Megan starts to think about her plans for post-partum racing. The Chicks also share some of their boldest predictions for the upcoming year, including Jakob Ingebrigtsen venturing into trail racing, Jenny Simpson writing a book, a rise in AI-based coaching, and more.

Time stamps:

2024 Reflections:

00:40 - Karen’s top moments

4:06 - Megan’s top moments

5:43 - Rachel’s top moments

12:01 - 2025 resolutions + goals

14:40 - Karen’s running goals

18:10 - Rachel’s running goals

26:10 - Marathon fueling revolution 

31:02 - Megan’s running goals

2025 Predictions (35:27):

36:28 - Clayton Young or Conner Mantz will medal at Worlds

37:22 - Women’s American marathon record will fall

43:54 - Jakob Ingebrigtsen ventures into trail racing 

44:59 - More AI-based coaching

47:02 - Gabby Thomas races a mile

48:26 - Taylor Swift runs a marathon 

50:29 - Shelby Houlihan won’t qualify for the World Champs

52:36 - Marathon OTQ lowers to 2:35 for women

55:24 - The start of a distance running reality show

56:18 - Jenny Simpson writes a book 

58:00 - Parker Valby places top 5 at the World Champs

1:01:25 - Getting Chicked goes global

1:04:22 - Rachel in the lab: Is Boston or NYC faster?

YOUR HOSTS

– Karen Lesiewicz | @kare_les on Instagram

– Rachel DaDamio | @rdadamio on X

– Megan Connelly | @meganmorantwwe on Instagram

FOLLOW OUR SHOW

– Subscribe on Apple Podcasts here

– Follow on Spotify here

– Follow the show on Instagram here

The Chicks are back and ready to dive into a few goals for 2025 while reflecting on some of the highs and lessons of 2024. Karen, Rachel, and Megan share their Strava “Year in Sport” highlights and chat about their approach to setting New Year’s goals. Karen opens up about using dating apps, Rachel gives an update on her pull-up progress, and Megan shares how she’s getting in strength work during pregnancy.

We also highlight some of the top moments from CIM, share tips for winter running and when to hop on the treadmill, and wrap things up with our weekly favorites.

Time stamps:

1:51 - Using Depop to buy running clothes

8:50 - Getting Chicked goals for 2025

10:05 - Karen on dating apps

14:20 - When to starting New Year’s goals

17:38 - Checking in on Rachel’s 2024 pull-up goals 

20:04 - Karen’s strength training during pregnancy 

22:25 - Strava “Year in Sport”

30:03 - Winter running safety tips

35:04 - When to run on the treadmill?

43:04 - Karen’s tip to getting your run done 

45:32 - CIM highlights 

48:56 - Why Notre Dame alumni are doing so well in the marathon 

53:14 - Rachel racing the 2025 Boston Marathon

55:10 - Weekly favorites

Mentioned in this episode…

Read: Jackie Gaughan Breaks Down Her Massive 1:14/1:10 Negative Split To Run 2:24 At CIM 

Listen: Amanda Vestri After Running 1:08:12 In Her Half Marathon Debut

What we’ve been loving:

- Orlando Track Shack + Amanda Vestri’s 1:08:12 half marathon debut

- Using Strava routes from other users

- Ali On The Run Show

YOUR HOSTS

– Karen Lesiewicz | @kare_les on Instagram

– Rachel DaDamio | @rdadamio on X

– Megan Connelly | @meganmorantwwe on Instagram

FOLLOW OUR SHOW

– Subscribe on Apple Podcasts here

– Follow on Spotify here

– Follow the show on Instagram here

Karen and Rachel recap their day at the 2024 NCAA Cross Country Championship last weekend – and what a day it was! From a 4:00 AM wake-up call to Rachel spilling her coffee and dropping her burrito, to navigating the porta-potties and sprinting around the course to catch the races, it was nonstop action. 

Rachel also breaks down how the team scores might have looked different using alternate scoring methods, like factoring in the 6th and 7th runners. Plus, we wrap up with another round of our current running favorites.

Time stamps:

1:35 - What to where for cold weather runs 

3:40 - Karen races a Turkey Trot half marathon 

6:48 - Rachel getting asked about her fitness when she visits home 

8:35 - Karen and Rachel head to Cross Country NCAAs!

10:01 - Parking pass debacle

13:18 - Would you or would you not eat the fallen burrito?

16:47 - The porta-potty situation at cross country meets

24:19 - Is Shalane Flanagan the Tom Brady of XC?

30:01 - Karen’s highlights from NCAAs

35:28 - Rachel’s Receipts: alternate ways of scoring NCAAs

45:35 - BYU’s team depth on both the men’s and women’s sides

1:00:03 - Weekly recs

Read: Alternative Scoring For The 2024 NCAA XC Championship: Adding 6th/7th Runner, Flight Scoring + More

What we’ve been loving:

- Katie Florio’s story (Ran 2:32:42 to win the Philadelphia Marathon one year post-partum)

- Hand + feet warmers for running

- Outdoor Voices’ SuperForm 3.5” Short 

YOUR HOSTS

– Karen Lesiewicz | @kare_les on Instagram

– Rachel DaDamio | @rdadamio on X

– Megan Connelly | @meganmorantwwe on Instagram

FOLLOW OUR SHOW

– Subscribe on Apple Podcasts here

– Follow on Spotify here

– Follow the show on Instagram here

Karen and Rachel spent the weekend at Notre Dame revisiting some of their favorite memories from their college days as students-athletes. The duo will also be heading to the NCAA Cross Country Championships in Madison, Wisconsin this weekend to cheer on the Fighting Irish! Megan gives us an update on how running has been going during her pregnancy and we all share a few favorite things that have been helping with our running lately.

Time stamps:

3:01 - Showering when you’re on a break from running?

4:49 - Decorating for the holidays 

12:25 - Karen and Rachel head back to Notre Dame for the weekend

19:44 - Thoughts on NCAA Regionals

28:47 - Karen and Rachel’s experiences racing on Wisconsin’s course

31:01 - What Karen and Rachel are up to during their breaks from running

34:34 - Update on Megan’s training during pregnancy 

Things we’ve been loving recently:

41:42 - Karen’s picks 

44:20 - Megan’s picks

48:56 - Rachel’s picks

50:02 - Why Rachel has been experimenting with salt tablets 

What we’ve been loving lately:

– LEVER Movement

– LMNT Electrolytes

– Fairlife Chocolate Protein Shake

YOUR HOSTS

– Karen Lesiewicz | @kare_les on Instagram

– Rachel DaDamio | @rdadamio on X

– Megan Connelly | @meganmorantwwe on Instagram

FOLLOW OUR SHOW

– Subscribe on Apple Podcasts here

– Follow on Spotify here

– Follow the show on Instagram here

The 2024 NYC Marathon is in the books! Karen and Rachel share all the details on their experiences at the NYC Marathon last weekend, from feelings in the starting corral, to meeting fans mid-race, to crossing the finish line. Rachel shares about her experience racing in the sub-elite field and Karen breaks down all the New York City magic throughout the weekend.  The Getting Chicked crew also share their favorite marathon stories from the weekend and weigh in on the tea with Matt Choi’s DQ. Tune in for the NYC Marathon special!

Time stamps:

0:16 - Karen and Rachel raced the NYC Marathon!

4:09 - Rachel breaks down her race 

6:59 - Rachel’s sub-elite field experience 

14:21 - Starting line thoughts + first few miles of the race

16:07 - Differences between sub-elite and elite fields at NYC

24:04 - Karen breaks down her race 

28:17 - Getting Chicked fan shoutouts

39:36 - Karen’s thoughts on running 2:52:00

44:31 - Favorite running stories from NYC: Kellyn Taylor, Sara Vaughn 

48:19 - NYC Marathon vs. Chicago Marathon

50:10 - The Matt Choi tea

56:30 - Pre-race pasta making class 

Mentioned in this episode: 

Listen: Parting Thoughts From The 2024 NYC Marathon: Abdi Nageeye And Sheila Chepkirui Win, Surprising American Finishes + Biggest Highlights

Listen: Sara Vaughn After Finishing 6th At The 2024 New York City Marathon (2:26:56, Top American) | Race Recap + Reflections

Follow: Kellyn Taylor on Instagram

YOUR HOSTS

– Karen Lesiewicz | @kare_les on Instagram

– Rachel DaDamio | @rdadamio on X

– Megan Connelly | @meganmorantwwe on Instagram

FOLLOW OUR SHOW

– Subscribe on Apple Podcasts here

– Follow on Spotify here

– Follow the show on Instagram here

Karen, Megan, and Rachel are back for another marathon special!

The Getting Chicked crew share the biggest highlights from the Chicago Marathon, including Susanna Sullivan’s breakthrough performance. Megan also announces that another chick will be joining us soon – she’s pregnant! Megan shares what it was like racing a half marathon while five months pregnant and what training has been like over the past few months. Karen and Rachel break down their plans for taper week heading into the NYC Marathon, including training and fueling leading into the final days before the marathon. 

Time stamps:

0:43 - Quick thoughts on the Chicago Marathon

2:24 - Spectators full sending across the street mid-race

3:54 - Shoutouts to Getting Chicked runners who raced Chicago 

9:51 - Weather predictions for NYC

11:21 - Susanna Sullivan’s top American finish in Chicago 

15:43 - Lindsay Flanagan’s standout performance 

18:05 - Megan is pregnant! 

22:34 - Biggest surprises about running during pregnancy 

27:55 - Giving back to the running community

31:08 - Karen and Chris racing the 5K in Toronto – Chris got chicked!

35:57 - NYC Marathon course guide for runners 

37:30 - Rachel’s plan for taper week

39:02 - Karen’s plan for taper week 

41:09 - Rachel’s day-by-day training for taper week

53:55 - CITIUS MAG’s plans for NYC Marathon coverage

Mentioned in this episode: 

Read: NYC Marathon Mile-By-Mile Course Breakdown

YOUR HOSTS

– Karen Lesiewicz | @kare_les on Instagram

– Rachel DaDamio | @rdadamio on X

– Megan Connelly | @meganmorantwwe on Instagram

FOLLOW OUR SHOW

– Subscribe on Apple Podcasts here.

– Follow on Spotify here.

– Follow the show on Instagram here.  

Join Karen, Rachel, and Megan as they dive into the biggest highlights from Athlos and share advice for the Chicago Marathon. The episode kicks off with a recap of Athlos, including the $60,000 prize money and Tiffany crown for each winner, the event’s atmosphere, and more of the top takeaways.

Shifting to the Chicago Marathon, the Getting Chicked crew share their personal experiences at the marathon and give advice for those who will be racing it for the first time, including: navigating the Expo, fueling strategies during the marathon, how to grab water cups while running, and lots more.

Plus: Rachel breaks down the ultimate spectator strategy where your friends and family are able to watch you run at four different points of the marathon. 

Time Stamps:

1:35 - Recapping Athlos

9:55 - Athlos crowns, prize money

12:40 - Brittany Brown’s massive payday 

17:57 - Parting thoughts from Athlos 

19:40 - Chicago Marathon experiences 

22:48 - Advice for first-time Chicago Marathon runners

24:50 - Navigating the Expo

29:46 - Chicago Marathon: most logistically sound marathon

34:02 - Getting to the start line 

39:35 - Ultimate Chicago Marathon spectating plan 

44:30 - How to take water cups while running 

51:00 - “The Carnage Corridor” 

54:52 - Megan and Karen’s fueling plans 

1:02:56 - Final advice for Chicago 

1:05:20 - Managing post-marathon blues

YOUR HOSTS

– Karen Lesiewicz | @kare_les on Instagram

– Rachel DaDamio | @rdadamio on X

– Megan Connelly | @meganmorantwwe on Instagram

FOLLOW OUR SHOW

– Subscribe on Apple Podcasts here.

– Follow on Spotify here.

– Follow the show on Instagram here.  

Karen, Rachel, and Megan cover all things marathoning in today’s episode. Rachel and Megan give us the lowdown on their recent races and share what’s next on their race agendas. Karen breaks down how she runs “Karends” and the Getting Chicked crew each talk about their biggest quirks as Type A runners + what they think about while running to pass the time. They also discuss how to gague marathon fitness a month out from racing and delve into training + racing stories. 

Plus: At what age can you start “getting chicked”? And will we see a future group marathon with Karen, Rachel, and Megan? 

Highlights from today’s show…

7:42 - What makes the Hidden Gem Half Marathon truly a hidden gem.

14:16 - Details on Rachel’s recent race.

18:00 - Rule of thumb to gauge marathon fitness four weeks out. 

22:24 - Automatic vs. manual splits while racing?

26:04 - Megan breaks down her recent race. 

29:45 - Inspiring performances from the USATF 20km Championships.

31:52 - Karen + Rachel registering for the Boston Marathon.

33:55 - Costumes and unhinged things you see during marathons.

38:18 - Elevation profile of NYC compared to other marathons.

43:03 - Predictions for Boston Marathon cutoff times. 

47:42 - Future group marathon?

51:11 - Type A running quirks + stories.

YOUR HOSTS

– Karen Lesiewicz | @kare_les on Instagram

– Rachel DaDamio | Not on Instagram

– Megan Connelly | @meganmorantwwe on Instagram

FOLLOW OUR SHOW

– Subscribe on Apple Podcasts here.

– Follow on Spotify here.

– Follow the show on Instagram here.  

Karen, Rachel, and Megan kick things off with a few of the most memorable moments from the Nameless Track Club group run before diving into the trials and tribulations of vacationing as a runner: deciding on what to pack, handling laundry, fitting in workouts, and literally running into wildlife. 

The Getting Chicked crew also opens up about their experiences using the “Bod Pod” during their times as college runners + share about the negative component of using body composition data as a measurement for success. 

Plus: the tea on the viral runfluencer who celebrated running a sub-three marathon without realizing the public “elapsed time” feature on Strava. 

Some of the top moments from today’s episode…

3:12 - Highlights from the Nameless Track Club group run. 

8:10 - Vacationing as a runner: handling the laundry situation. 

16:35 - Karen’s top tips for packing as a runner.

19:25 - Planning workouts while on vacation. 

24:15 - Wildlife encounters while running on vacation. 

29:25 - Managing + adapting to altitude training. 

32:43 - Experiences using the “Bod Pod” during college + unpacking the dark side of measuring body composition. 

44:27 - Emotional component of being a female distance runner. 

48:15 - Empowering + suporting all types of runners.

51:58 - Viral Strava runfluencer who claimed to run a sub-three marathon…but then got caught.

Runner’s World article discussed: Top College Running Programs Move Away From Body Composition Testing: https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a42437488/body-composition-testing-college-programs/

YOUR HOSTS

– Karen Lesiewicz | @kare_les on Instagram

– Rachel DaDamio | Not on Instagram

– Megan Connelly | @meganmorantwwe on Instagram

FOLLOW OUR SHOW

– Subscribe on Apple Podcasts here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/getting-chicked/id1742608116⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

– Follow on Spotify here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/25oa4b8odONMStCxUM30nX?si=ebcc635a75154c21⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

– Follow the show on Instagram here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/gettingchicked