Nobody Asked Us with Des & Kara

Cue the latest running controversy because it had been a few weeks. But first (!), Kara and Des update you on their lives including the latest race from Colt, and of course, Des's final preparation for Marathon des Sables. She will soon be running self-supported across the Sahara desert. In fact, she lands in Morocco on the very day this episode posts. Go Des... we are ALL cheering for you! Then if you missed it, Emma Bates posted on IG about getting "dropped" by UCAN (her nutrition sponsor) because of her pregnancy. Naturally, the world came to her defense, and now Emma is sharing more of her story on Ali Feller's podcast. Kara is no stranger to this issue, so she and Des dig into it, raising some good questions on the topic as well as a host of related ones. The short answer is... it's complicated, as many things are for athletes that are contractors and not in-house employees. Overall though, more rights and support for pregnant athletes is needed, and Alysia Montaño and Allyson Felix are leading the way. If you want to help, then put your time, energy, and money behind their work! Finally, we want to thank Lagoon for supporting the podcast (as well as Emma Bates even through her pregnancy)! Go take the quiz and get your pillow here: https://lagoonsleep.com/pages/lagoon-the-nobody-asked-us-podcast-from-kara-goucher-and-des-linden. Use code NOBODYASKEDUS for 15% off on your first purchase. Plus, get your tickets to the Boston live show here: https://www.berklee.edu/BPC/events/nobody-asked-us-with-des-kara. Use the following passwords to order: Password for regular tickets: NAUBROOKS Password for VIP meet and greet: NAUBROOKSBRC We hope to see you all there!

We missed you last week as Kara was on vacation, and the internets weren't cooperating for a recording session. So... we are back this week with a longer episode to catch up on all the latest in life and running news. Grab your favorite cocktail or mocktail and get cozy! We start with extended life updates. Kara breaks down Colt's amazing race at New Balance Indoor Nationals in Boston, where he won his heat in the mile. You get all of the proud-parent moments from Kara and some great perspective on supporting your kids in their dreams. She then shares about her amazing spring-break vacation to St. Maarten with friends, where beach time was what the doctor ordered. Cosmos were served nightly as Kara channeled her inner Carrie Bradshaw. Who knew she was a Sex and the City fan?! Des talks about her weekend in Oakland where she used a half marathon as a training race and did some final testing with GU Energy to dial-in nutrition and hydration for MDS. She also discusses the result from her VO2Max test there, where nerves and her heart rate went to the max. Shout-out to GU for their extra support of Des for her race! Then, they turn to a long list of running news with some controversial topics, including: Jane Hendengren indoor NCAA titles DQ in the men's 3K at NCAAs D3 podium controversy involving Seth Clevenger 2:10 marathon debut for Fotyen Tesfay (and the associated chatter) Grant Fisher's half debut in NYC All of the action from World Indoors, including so many medals for Team USA, and another amazing battle between Hocker, Kerr, and Nuguse As always, they finish with a Top 5 to round out the episode including a warm welcome to team Brooks for Clayton Young! Thank you to Brooks Running and ButcherBox for sponsoring this one. As an exclusive offer from ButcherBox, our listeners get their choice of organic ground beef, chicken breast OR steaks added to every box for a year, PLUS $20 off on your first box when you go to ButcherBox.com/nobody. That's right - your choice of organic ground beef, chicken breast or steak in EVERY box for an entire year, PLUS $20 off your first box, and free shipping always! Check it out at the link above.

The running community was up in arms this past week over so many things, so naturally Des and Kara must talk about it! Yes, they get to the positive aftermath of the Atlanta kerfluffle, and then they dig into the NYC marathon charity debate, the LA marathon "photo finish," the course misdirection for the leader there, and of course, the 18-mile medal drama. But first! They give you an extended life update where Kara talks about her tentative optimism about her own running (with support from her Lever), and Des shares the latest on training for the Sahara via sunny Florida. All in all, we just want people to relax a little on the socials. It is ok to vehemently disagree with someone on there without wanting to ruin their life. Plus, we have to give USATF and the Atlanta Track Club for doing their best to resolve the issue at the US Half Champs. And, we have to give the LA Marathon kudos for doing their best to avoid cancelling a race where weather presented a real risk for some. Congrats also to Nathan Martin for his win at LA! It was an epic finish for a great guy! Finally, you get a cameo from me - Chris McClung - the editor. Des and Kara invited me to talk about my first stage race at Moab Run the Rocks this past weekend. It was awesome, and I highly recommend it as a way to dip your toe into stage racing if interested. Not everyone has to jump straight to Marathon de Sables like Des! Now to support the pod and get your LEVER Movement system, use code NOBODYASKEDUS for 20% off here... Purchase link: https://bit.ly/4bLI2tG.

New sponsor alert! New sponsor alert... see the offer link below for ButcherBox! Wow... what a crazy weekend of running news and results! We start with Des's secret race as she ran the Disney Princess Half Marathon and WON. She talks about the early 5 am start, helping Ryan a little with his workout, and having a blast touring the park in this fashion. Kara shares her weekend of flying to NYC and calling USA Indoors. Then, they dig into the fiasco that was the women's race at the US Half Marathon Championships in Atlanta, where the lead vehicle led the top 3 women off-course. What a tough situation, and there are no good solutions. Des and Kara try to make sense of it all and give some potential options. We are left wondering... what will USATF and ATC do to try to rectify the mistake? UPDATE: Atlanta Track Club has decided to pay out prize money to both the official winners and to the 3 women that were led off course. In much better news, Des and Kara dig into the exciting results from the distance action at USA Indoors in NY. From the 800m to the 3000m, the US should be sending solid teams to the Indoor World Champs in Poland. Finally, they finish with a top 6 after announcing a new sponsor for the show. Now, go support that new sponsor! As an exclusive offer, our listeners get their choice of organic ground beef, chicken breast OR steaks added to every box for a year, PLUS $20 off on your first box when you go to ButcherBox.com/nobody. That's right - your choice of organic ground beef, chicken breast or steak in EVERY box for an entire year, PLUS $20 off your first box, and free shipping always! Check it out at the link above!

The Olympics are over and Des and Kara are going through withdrawal like so many of you. Fortunately, we have some fun running news to keep us occupied and to ease the pain... After the usual life updates, they dig into the new 800m, indoor world record, set by Keely Hodgkinson from Great Britain. She faced some injuries last summer which meant only a bronze medal at the World Champs in Tokyo. Now, she is healthy, already blazing the indoor oval, and her splits indicate that there might be even more in the tank. Des and Kara break it all down. Then, they introduce you to the 6th fastest US marathoner ever, who no one had ever heard of him until this past weekend. Meet Ethan Shuley, a 27-year-old American from Kentucky who lives and trains in Tokyo. He just threw down a 2:07 in Japan with no sponsor after steady gains over the last 18 months. Who is Ethan? What does this mean? How was it possible? And what are the implications for the US Marathon Trials for LA? Finally, they give you their top Olympics moments as the Games have wrapped, while also explaining the mixed emotions of watching the Closing Ceremonies as a competitor. If you think two weeks flies by as a spectator, imagine what it is like as an athlete! Now for your best night sleep, get you a Lagoon pillow. Use code NOBODYASKEDUS for 15% off at this link: https://lagoonsleep.com/pages/lagoon-the-nobody-asked-us-podcast-from-kara-goucher-and-des-linden

Your 50K world record holder - Des Linden - is now an ultra trail marathoner, and you get the full breakdown here first! After a little catch-up time, Des and Kara go deep on the results from the Black Canyon 100K and 50K, with Des finishing 13th female in the latter race this past Sunday. They start with an overview of the 100K, which both of them spectated virtually. The races at the front were FAST with the course records going down on both sides, plus Molly Seidel earning a golden ticket to Western States for her 4th place finish. Then, Des shares her experience in the 50K race from start to finish including expectations, the trail community vibes, and a tough day that had her neck/back locking up on her in the final 3rd of the race. She got it done in spite of those challenges and is happy with the finish. Kara can relate b/c her trail debut at the Leadville Marathon was a tough day as well. All in all, this was a great learning experience for Des, and now she looks ahead to the Marathon de Sables. Then, they talk about the expectations at the Winter Olympics, especially for top American hopefuls, and wonder outloud if it is too much or misguided. Finally as usual, they close the show with a Top 5 that you won't want to miss. Everyone show Des some love for putting herself out there on the trails!

The Winter Olympics are ON and Des and Kara have the fever for it. In this episode, they talk about two controversies from the Games so far and give you a preview of the athletes/events they are tracking. Plus, you hear some behind-the-scenes details on their opening ceremony experiences from Beijing and London respectively. Des also gives a quick preview of her race this weekend at Black Canyon before an episode-ending Top 5. Some highlights: injections in crazy places, downhills without an ACL, broken tibias, silly keyboard warriors, ice and curling upsets (oh my!), urine-urine everywhere, when meeting your heroes gets weird, and so much more! Congrats to our Lever contest winner (announced in the episode). If you didn't win, go get yours: Use code NOBODYASKEDUS for 20% off here... Purchase link: https://bit.ly/4bLI2tG.

This is about the Millrose Games, but it's also not about the Millrose Games. We promise you are going to love it. As usual, they start with some life updates including an update on Des's training for MDS (Marathon de Sables). She gives us a little BTS on prepping for the pack she will carry during the race. There is a weight vest involved so she can prepare for the supplies she will bring en route. It's a self-supported race after all. This might mean that Des finally does some strength work, and Kara volunteers to be here personal accountability partner on that. Someone check the Vegas odds! Kara shares some beta on Millrose travel and time in NYC with Colt, and then they get into the fun details of the meet itself. There is talk of the results, but there is also so much more. They break down results from the key races and also give BTS on the production meeting, Kara's make-up, Sonya's return to the booth, that ONE particular commercial, and Colt's Millrose escapades meeting all of the athletes. They talk about the meet as only they can. Finally, they end with a teaser on the winter Olympics and their podcast with Sara Spain, before ending with a top 5. As a reminder, don't forget to register for the Lever contest before Friday, Feb 6th at 12 pm MT (2 pm ET). Lever contest link: https://levermovement.com/pages/nau-giveaway-lp. Or to go ahead and get yours: Use code NOBODYASKEDUS for 20% off here... Purchase link: https://bit.ly/4bLI2tG

This episode is a fun one because it contains a big announcement about the future of of the pod. Spoiler alert... Brooks is involved (if the episode title didn't give it away). Drum roll please... Brooks will continue their presenting sponsorship of Nobody Asked Us through at least LA 2028! To celebrate, we bring on Garrett Heath who is the head of sports marketing for Brooks to talk about the partnership. Des and Kara are excited to be together for this one at Brooks HQ. Before Garrett joins, they start by giving some love to Minnesota and the challenges that the community is facing there. They hope that compassion can rule the day - more of that please - and that this pod can be a fun/light respite from the news. They give short life updates and talk a little about the indoor results from the weekend. Indoor track is back and things are already fast and spicy! Then, they bring on Garrett. He gives you a background on his running (and skiing) career. He grew up in Minnesota, was NOT recruited by Kara's alma mater CU, but did have an amazing career at Stanford before signing with Brooks as a pro. He's worked his way up at Brooks and is now head of sports marketing. Garrett shares some fun stories of his running past (beating some of the all-time greats) and then gives you some behind-the-scenes intel on sports marketing and how Brooks chooses and partners with athletes. Plus, he tells you why Brooks is exciting to support the pod with some previews of fun/new stuff coming in 2026. If that's not enough to buy some Brooks shoes, then we don't know what is! Finally, they finish with a Lever uplifting Top 5, where they also announce a fun Lever contest. You could win one! See details at the contest link below! Lever contest link: https://levermovement.com/pages/nau-giveaway-lp. Contest will be live until Friday, Feb 6th at 12 pm MT (2 pm ET). Or to go ahead and get yours: Use code NOBODYASKEDUS for 20% off here... Purchase link: https://bit.ly/4bLI2tG.

The buzz is real when it comes to Des's trail plans for this year. She just announced her first trail race of the season - the Black Canyon 50K - on February 15th in prep for the epic stage race Marathon des Sables (MDS) in April. MDS is a self-supported, multi-stage ultramarathon, primarily held in the Moroccan Sahara, where runners cover ~250 km (155 miles) in six days, carrying all their own food and gear while facing desert conditions, and sleeping in communal tents with other participants. We know Des likes a sufferfest, so it shouldn't be surprising that this race has captured her attention. She gives a little preview of her prep and opens the floor for some help for her team name. Drop your ideas in the YouTube or Spotify comments! Then, Des and Kara talk about the impending choice for the host city of the 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials. Phoenix and St. Louis go head-to-head for the opportunity to choose our Olympic marathoners for LA. What factors should be considered and which city might have the edge? Finally (before a Top 5), they preview the indoor track action coming up at the NB Indoor Games and at Millrose. There are some fun and exciting races to watch in the coming weekends, and they give you some tips on what and who to watch! Track is back! Thank you to Lagoon Sleep for sponsoring this podcast. Take the quiz to find your ideal pillow and use code NOBODYASKEDUS for 15% off at LagoonSleep.com/NOBODYASKEDUS.

"The files are in the computer." Guess that movie reference as we open the show! Well, the runners were in the TV this weekend with live action at the Houston Marathon/Half Marathon and the World XC Champs in Florida. Des was on the call in Houston on Sunday, and both Des and Kara watched the coverage of the races in Tallahassee on Saturday. What amazing races they were! They cover all of the amazing chaos from World XC (from water to "mud" to obstacles and snakes), which made for some carnage on the course. Jacob Kiplimo from Uganda won the men's race, and Caroline Agnes Ngetich absolutely stole the show on the women's side. Des and Kara talk about it all and assess the US performances, with both men and women finishing in 4th place in the team results. Congrats to Tallahassee for putting on a great show! Then in Houston, perfect weather brought some very fast times. You had 4 US men under 60 for the first time in a single race, with both the US men's and women's half records very nearly going down. And in the marathon, Zouhair Talbi won the men's marathon in 2:05:45 with the third fastest time ever by an American. Talbi is a recently naturalized citizen. He can't compete for the US yet but should be eligible by the 2028 Games, so watch that name. Great Britain's Calli Hauger-Thackery won the women's marathon in 2:24:17 after also winning Honolulu just a month ago. Finally, they talk about a big doping bust in marathoning - Albert Korir - before ending on a more positive note with a top 5 for the week. We are only 13 days into January and already 3 episodes into this fourth season of podcasts for Des and Kara. It's going to be a good year!

Des and Kara are back in Houston for 2026 with another podcast, live from the Cullen Theater. We had another great turn-out, and the crowd brought their A game with great questions. The audio is clean for a live pod, and the content on this one is must-listen. Des and Kara start with some preview thoughts on World XC and on Houston Marathon weekend. Then, they take a little trip down podcast memory lane as they enter their 4th year of podcasting together. Finally, the crowd brings their A game with some fire questions. You get breaking news from Des on her 2026 racing calendar, and you might just learn something new about the two of them. There are some fun facts in here that not many know, plus plenty of inspiration to go around. Thanks to everyone who joined us and good luck to everyone racing on Sunday! Note: Unfortunately, this one is audio only as we had a video malfunction. We apologize to our YouTube loyalists!

Most importantly, if you will be in Houston this weekend, get your tickets to the Des/Kara live pod there. 7 pm on Friday (1/9) at the Cullen Center Theater. Tickets here: https://performingartshouston.org/events/nobody-asked-us-with-des-and-kara-2026-01-09-700-pm/. We hope to see you there! Now with this episode, Kara and Des kick-off 2026 with updates on their holidays, their winter training, and some tips on how to beat the winter training doldrums yourself. Cold or bad weather - don't sweat it! Roll with the punches, and remember that it is ok to modify or miss a day on occasion. And... that rule actually applies all the time whether it's winter or not. They also give brief previews of the events of this weekend including the Houston Marathon and Half Marathon and World XC in Florida. To watch World XC, tune into NBC and Peacock on Saturday morning (1/10). The mixed races start at 9:45 ET, and the senior races are at 11:35 am and 12:20 am for women and men respectively. While the two-time defending champion Beatrice Chebet is out, the fields are stacked and should make for exciting racing. Finally, they finish with a New Year top 5 as we start 2026 with a podcast banger! Happy New Year everyone!