Episode 37: Kinda Unmotivated: How to Run When You Don’t Feel Like It

Welcome to Episode 37 of the Kinda Fast Podcast, the show where we talk running, real life, and everything in between.

This week, Travis and Claire break down the training term “time on feet” and explain why many coaches measure long runs by time instead of distance. They discuss how this approach helps runners build endurance, adjust for hills or heat, and safely prepare for longer races.

Then they dive into a wild weekend in the running world. The U.S. Half Marathon Championships sparked controversy after a lead vehicle took the wrong turn, sending top runners including Jessica McClain off course and costing them major opportunities. Travis and Claire unpack what happened and why the situation has the running community talking.

The episode also reflects on the legacy of Jeff Galloway, whose run-walk method helped make distance running accessible to millions of runners around the world.

Later, they recap a busy race weekend including the Tokyo Marathon, the Disney Princess Half Marathon, and local racing in Greenville, where Claire shares a recent 5K PR and lessons learned from race day.

For the deep dive, the conversation turns to something every runner experiences: how to stay motivated when you do not feel like running. Inspired by a question from an Upward Running member, Travis and Claire share practical strategies to help runners stay consistent, build structure, and keep moving forward even on the hard days.

Topics in this episode include:

• What “time on feet” means in a training plan • Why long runs are often capped around three hours • What went wrong at the U.S. Half Marathon Championships • Why Molly Born’s response earned respect across the running world • Jeff Galloway’s lasting impact on distance running • Race recaps from Tokyo, Disney Princess Half, and Greenville • Four practical ways to stay motivated when running feels hard

If you have ever struggled to start a run, questioned your motivation, or wondered how experienced runners stay consistent, this episode is for you.

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