Going Off Course

CURRENTLY RECRUITING FOR A TRAIL RAGNAR, + chats about the. marathon, bangin' fire alarms, shingles, strength training, bras & boobs, ice cream in a running pack, old vs. new Lululemon & wayyyy more stuff

Have you ever had to get a workout in and taken a ridiculous route to get there? We feel you. Today, we touch on jogging… why is it such a triggering word??? Also, why did we sell wrapping paper in elementary school? From loving the jog-a-thon in elementary school to gum addictions to recapping a bike race - this episode is random. Also, beware of cougars in Arizona (cats or older women? The jury is still out.) 

🎙 Episode Recap

• Back to strength training (because injury potential)

• Tib tibbing, Achilles cracking, balance board rehab =

• Bike race Sunday + the unsanctioned Red Box for a DVD

• Convincing oneself to not be competitive (hard)

• Dell computer struggles

Food & social thoughts:

• WIEIAD videos + people commenting on what you eat

• Ordering WRONG at a restaurant

• Post-long run treats (post run or in the PM)

• Wanting to eat a lot with someone else

• Angry cyclists -__-

  
  

  & more

This episode is a full grab bag of off course-ness from start to finish. We talk slick back hair struggles, Hollywood influencer events, networking that feels mildly intimidating, and a movie night that was so good it made us cry more than once. There are fashion dilemmas, footwear regrets, and the ongoing effort to look composed while absolutely not feeling that way.

We also share injury updates and recovery frustrations, including the unfortunate news that Carolyn’s other tib is now tibbing too. Because apparently one angry leg was not enough. We get into the reality of trying to train while your body has completely different plans.

Along the way we spiral into toilet AirPods, earwax oversharing, ClassPass adventures, yoga and Pilates thoughts, and some restaurant experiences. Part lifestyle, part running, part bodily functions.

This week we're questioning everything we thought we knew about running, especially the idea that more miles and more suffering automatically equal better results. We talk about injury myths, overtraining, and why sometimes the bravest thing you can do is take a day off and not spiral about it. Turns out elite athletes recover on purpose, not just by accident.

Of course we also share stories that have absolutely nothing to do with optimal performance, including grease fires, rogue smoke detectors, and the weird things your body does when you push it too hard for too long. We get into treadmill truth, influencer running culture, training apps that may or may not be helping, and why race hard or go home is not always the flex people think it is.

If you are tired of hustle culture, stuck in an injury cycle, or just want permission to train in a way that actually feels sustainable, this one is for you. Smarter training, fewer breakdowns, and plenty of laughs along the way.

Was Carolyn serving c*nt at pilates? You’ll have to listen to find out. Carolyn & Michelle both find themselves at Lagree studios for a random mid-week workout. If you’ve ever done Lagree or are curious about it, this might be the episode for you - BUT - they also discuss below-the-belt soreness (lol), owning a dog and pet peeves around it, trail running, and so much more. Do you talk while you run? They laugh about the awkwardness of hanging with your endurance friends outside of running or cycling for the first time, how endurance sports welcome you to cross-generational friendships, and doggie paddling. Michelle has a 15k coming up, so they touch on pacing, which leads them into a rant about 1k repeats workouts (why do they suck?) and high heart rates during training. 

This week we recorded separately because life was doing the absolute most, so you are getting two very different but equally unhinged halves of the episode.

Michelle checks in from St. Louis with moving updates, Midwest confusion, pecan coffee regret, and some very real thoughts about feeling lost in your 30s. She talks running hills that should not exist, yoga realizations after 15 years of doing it wrong, sprinting through airports with a dog, and the emotional rollercoaster of starting over in a new city. There are reflections on friendships, routines, happiness, and why sometimes you actually have to leave the couch to feel better.

Carolyn brings us a completely different vibe with weekend recaps that include a golf tournament, a celebrity chess event, a spider encounter, and a brutal cycling adventure known as the Circle of Doom. Lessons are learned, preparation is questioned, and survival is celebrated.

Two lives, two paths, one episode full of movement, chaos, and figuring things out as we go.

This week we are all over the place in the best way. We start with microphone struggles, coughing fits where Carolyn essentially broke all her ribs, and some very real updates on visas and moving plans. We talk about running in cold weather, recent half marathon experiences (including accidentally taking them out way too fast), and why preparation and mindset matter even when things do not go according to plan.We also get into motion sickness while traveling, trying to pick up new hobbies with already packed schedules, and turning old race shirts into something actually wearable. There is house hunting in Los Angeles, standing desk opinions, chiropractor chat, and plenty of side commentary along the way. A little running, a little life admin, and a lot of relatable chaos.

Carolyn and Michelle tackle the chaos of moving locally, internationally, and emotionally, and how it manages to derail routines, training, and mental health all at once. They swap stories about packing, decluttering, and the stress no one warns you about, then shift into running talk with local legends, race pressure, half and full marathon feelings, and redefining what a “good” race actually means.

Naturally, things go off the rails with tangents about parents and streaming services, the horror of unexpected phone calls, dentist visits, and general social awkwardness. A little running, a lot of life, and plenty of laughs along the way.

Season Two is officially here, and your favorite hosts are back together catching up on all things life and running. From workouts and weather woes to marathon training challenges, we dive into what it’s been like getting back into a routine—and what still hurts (and why). We talk training plans, long runs, and the logistics of moving while trying to stay consistent, plus the very real question of how sore is too sore?

The conversation wanders, as it always does, into gift-giving expectations, fitness aches, and the little things that keep training interesting. The episode wraps with some laughs, a look ahead at what’s coming next, and a promise to stay connected with listeners as Season Two gets rolling.