The Run Around Iowa

Carson comes on the show to kick off a big week of coverage for the Ironman Des Moines event on Sunday. Carson, a Cedar Rapids Washington and Luther College grad, is in the men's pro field in Sunday's race. He is coming off a victory in Sunday's Pigman Triathlon in Palo that took place after this interview. Carson talks about his journey that began when he was a swimmer at Washington and Luther to becoming a triathlon coach in Colorado and starting his own company, Torden Multisport, in 2017. Carson also goes into detail about his journeys, which have included stops in Germany and his new home of Taiwan with wife Jamie, an engineer with a cycling company. He mentions the experiences he has had over two years in the city of 2.5 million people. Carson also chats about winning cycling races in Taiwan and advancing to racing in the Xterra series. Carson also talks about how he hopes to surprise many of his rivals in Sunday's race using a product from fellow Iowan TJ Tollakson.

Lance opens the podcast by giving his top 10 performances, either individually or by a team, from the past two weeks of NJCAA, NCAA and NAIA nationals, as well as NCAA Division I prelims. Two professional athletes also make his list. Former Iowa State All-Big 12 runner Abby Caldwell then comes on the program to give an update on Cailie Logue and to talk about the Cyclone distance runners who are headed to nationals in Eugene in less than two weeks.

John Taylor III lives by the adage, "Go for your dreams." John has overcome physical challenges over the years to become the first Iowa man to join the Boston Marathon Quarter Century Club. This club is for runners who have qualified for and finished 25 consecutive Boston Marathons. John is also only the second Iowan to join this prestigious list. He talks about the close calls that nearly ended the streak, including blood clots in his legs, a terrible bicycle accident and qualifying for the marathon one year on the day before the opening of registration. John also tells of nearly throwing away the streak one year at Boston. John chats about his most memorable experiences while becoming a 50 States member. He also describes his Ironman World Championships experiences in Hawaii. John also talks about the joys of retirement, which includes spending time with a daughter and grandkids he never knew existed until recently. He also explains how he feels his life has come full circle.

Caroline talks about returning to Drake University's Blue Oval last weekend to break Northwest's school record in the 5,000 meters by about a second. She also chats about her marriage at age 19 to former Knoxville runner and current Northwest assistant coach Wick Cunningham. She tells the story of when she and Wick began their relationship and how their personalities mesh very well. Caroline also details the quick wedding they had at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in March of 2020. Caroline goes into her evolution as a distance runner and how she landed at Maryville. She tells why Maryville feels like home now. She talks of her reluctance to try the steeplechase and a humbling moment during last year's conference meet in that event. Caroline also chats about her goals to finish out her second to last season with the Bearcats

Lance opens the podcast by giving his favorite distance running moments from the recently concluded 112th Drake Relays. He also talks about an Iowa native's induction into the Relays Hall of Fame last week and a Northern Iowa transfer pickup. Abby Caldwell comes on to give her view of Iowa State's performance at the Relays and (kind of) answers the question of where has Cailie Logue gone to. The show concludes with a couple upcoming events on the track for all ages and a preview of the next podcast.

Ben and Linda of Pink Gorilla Events out of Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska come on the show to chat about the return of the popular relay on May 14 after a two-year hiatus. Ben talks about his creative side that led to the formation of the company and the relay in Nebraska in 2008. He also details the origins behind the Pink Gorilla name. Ben talks about the pandemic's effect on the company when only virtual Market to Market Relays were held in Nebraska in 2020 and 2021 and Iowa in 2020. The Iowa event for 2021 was canceled and he describes the reasons why. Ben also talks about the biggest changes in races he's seen since 2019. Linda and Ben mention some changes runners can expect with the Iowa race next month and how everyone had a big role to play on the Pink Gorilla team.

The podcast opens with news on seven-time Iowa State All-American Wesley Kiptoo turning pro and joining the NAZ Elite team in Flagstaff, Arizona. Kiptoo started his pro career with a third-place finish in the 5,000 at Mount Sac Relays on Friday. That same night, former Dowling Catholic star Karissa Schweizer was a winner in a women's elite 5,000 in her first race since having Achilles surgery in October. Lance also shares some Morningside coaching and Runablaze Iowa news. Finally, former All-Big 12 runner Abby Caldwell comes on to talk about Kiptoo's legacy and if it was the right time to turn pro. She also chats about some of the top Cyclone performers from a busy weekend in California.

Annie (Andrea) talks about juggling a full-time job, pursuing a master's degree in business administration and running the indoor track and field season at Mount Mercy this winter. Annie describes her final races as Mustang, when she finished national runner-up in the 1,000 meters and mile at Brookings, S.D., a month ago. Annie talks about choosing Mount Mercy after a stellar career at Marion High and how she got started in running while being home-schooled growing up on rural Central City. Annie also chats about her race debut with the Running Wild Elite team, when she placed in the top 25 at the Shamrock Shuffle 8K in Chicago and her racing goals moving forward.

Lance talks about a recent podcast with an NCJAA championship coach. Then it is on to the news and additions to the Running Wild Elite and Runablaze Iowa teams. Former Iowa State great Abby Caldwell then comes on to chat about the Cyclones' top performances at the Raleigh Relays and also looks back at indoor nationals, including ISU's strong effort in the distance medley. Abby also tackles the question of whether we have seen the best of former NCAA champion Wesley Kiptoo. The podcast concludes with a preview of the next podcast Friday.