We are excited to wrap up the year with one final episode for 2025. Happy New Year's Eve everyone!

As we wrap the year, we wanted to send a massive "thank you" to you for listening and to our presenting sponsor Brooks Running who makes so many things with the pod possible. Thank you Brooks. Go get yourself a pair of their shoes to kick off 2026!

Also, Des and Kara will be in Houston for a live pod on Friday, January 9th at 7 pm at the Cullen Theater. Get your tickets here before they sell-out: https://performingartshouston.org/events/nobody-asked-us-with-des-and-kara-2026-01-09-700-pm/.

Now, this is a fun episode where Des and Kara give you a little update on NCAA madness before sharing their top 10 running stories of 2025. Reminsce on 2025 with them and then go ring in the New Year!

Breaking news: There will be a live pod in Houston. I repeat... there will be a live pod in Houston! Save the date for Friday, January 9th at 7 pm at the Cullen Theatre. Ticketing link coming very soon.

This episode starts with an update on Kara's power outage and some crazy house issues that she's been dealing with over the weekend. She and family are ok, but there's been a lot of extra stress lately. Cue the deep breaths needed.

Then, they turn to a discussion on the emerging details from Grand Slam Track's bankruptcy filing, including the large sums of money they owe so many creditors. Michael Johnson promised us transparency, and we are finally getting it because the court is forcing his hand.

These new details also raise questions of transparency for some of the "journalism" partners involved. Des and Kara weigh in on whether Citius Mag in particular owed us more transparency about their financial partnership with GST. Big J or little j? Does it even matter when we are just asking for the big T - Transparency?!

To conclude the episode, you get thoughts on The Marathon Project's place in the sport, an update on Save the 10,000, and a holiday top 5 to finish it off.

Happy holidays everyone!

In this episode, Des and Kara welcome a special guest - their editor and show-notes writer - Chris McClung. That's me! For those that don't know, I am also a running coach, and my business, Rogue Running, coaches athletes to help them achieve their running goals (both in-person and virtually).

We just published a book called Running the Rogue Way where we teach you the how and why behind our coaching methods. Des and Kara were nice enough to have me on to talk about it. Links below if you want to check it out, but you get some teaser-tips in the conversation. The main message is that the book is for anyone who puts one foot in front of the other and wants to get faster - no certain speed or pace needed to start.

But first(!)... we cover recent news and events including Kara and Des's experiences at Brooks XC Nationals, where runner-parents get some parent-coaching tips. We talk about Athing Mu's departure from Coach Kersee and how that certain news outlet reported it. And, we discuss the bankruptcy filing from Grand Slam Track with some insider intel on what it means for athletes and their recent partial payments.

Finally, we finish with a Lagoon Sleep Top 5 to finish it off. Thanks so much to Des and Kara for inviting me on the show!

To get your copy of Running the Rogue Way:

a. Hardcover: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=duRtYl7Frjuhhph8KZ7fjriq7BusNLYAk4XXhBTGYGg

b. Paperback: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=6egsNzSKdLR1IJkO1yPcuO3BaV31zmBbKBsxmwkqejS

Plus, special thanks to our bonus sponsor for the episode - Lagoon Sleep. Their holiday sale is officially LIVE, and it is the perfect time to give the gift of better sleep this season.

Listeners can use code NOBODYASKEDUS for 15% off on their first pillow, OR take advantage of sitewide deals like $60 off two pillows and up to $160 off bundles.

Head to LagoonSleep.com/NOBODYASKEDUS now, and take the 2-minute quiz to find the perfect match, or grab your favorite pillow before these deals are gone.

Des and Kara were live yesterday from the Brooks XC Nationals course. They preview all of the action which starts at 12:15 ET/9:15 PT today!

You can stream on Flotrack here: https://www.flotrack.org/events/14624321-2025-brooks-xc-championships-presented-by-fleet-feet.

Thanks to Brooks and Fleet Feet for keeping this race and its history alive! Good luck to everyone race!

This isn't the final episode of 2025 for Des and Kara, but this is the last episode of the year with a long list of running results to discuss. Listen in because there was A LOT of running action this past weekend from XC to the indoor track to the marathon.

Des and Kara start with updates on their recent travels - Des to Shanghai and Seoul, Kara to snowy Wisconsin. As highlights, we learn Des's nickname in China and get an update on Colt's race at Brooks XC regionals in proper blizzard conditions.

Then, they turn to this past weekend's results, starting with Nike NXN and the US XC Champs in Portland. Who showed up and showed out to earn spots on the World XC team for the US?

Plus, holy Hedengren(!) as Jane H ran 14:44 to break the collegiate indoor and outdoor 5K record at BU. That's also the 2nd fastest time ever by an American indoors. She is only 19, but it seems like she is making it look too easy! The sky is the limit for her.

Finally, they drill in on the US Marathon Champs at CIM (including Courtney D's near OTQ) and some fast times at the Valencia Marathon in Spain as the fall marathon season finally wraps up.

Thanks to Lever Movement for sponsoring the very uplifting Top 5 this week. For 20% off on your Lever system, use code NOBODYASKEDUS at levermovement.com.

"So, it doesn't hurt or bother you when someone's in your mouth?" - Kara

"For his Thanksgiving, he used to go to a strip club that would have a potluck." - Des

OMG... this is a good one. Where do we even start?

Des and Kara start with some catching up, talking about the dentist, holiday decorations, and Thanksgiving plans.

We also get a proper update on Colt and his team's amazing performance at NXN Regionals, plus a preview of what's to come at the Brooks XC Championships (live NAU podcast alert!). Des shares her travel plans to China and Korea over the holiday, while prepping a collab with the one and only Courtney Dauwalter at CIM.

Then, they dig into all things NCAA XC Championships, including the amazing races and the controversies. From Jane's historic run to the team competitions, beef between coaches, and the course-cutting, there is plenty to talk about...

Finally as usual, they end with an uplifting top 5 to cap this Thanksgiving-week episode. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We are grateful for everyone who listens!

Des and Kara return this week, fresh off of Kara's annual, girls weekend and Des's trip to the Every Woman's Marathon in Flagstaff, AZ. You get proper updates and behind-the-scenes stories on both of those.

Then, they turn to interesting discussions on the upcoming Brooks XC Championship presented by Fleet Feet. The regional qualifying events are at the end of November with the finale in San Diego in mid December. Spoiler alert: Des and Kara will be there for it with a live podcast incoming.

Finally, before a Top 5, they have an in-depth conversation about NCAA XC including the dominating performances of break-out freshman Jane Hedengren, as well as the potential impact of having many more international athletes in those fields. You might be surprised by the factor that could be most challenging/disruptive about this trend.

Stay for the end when Kara gives the funny story about a mom listener and her son that gave Kara and her friends the ultimate laugh at girls weekend.

And... don't worry guys... you will like this one too.

Special thanks to our sponsor for this episode Lagoon Sleep. Lagoon's biggest sale of the year is happening right now - and it's better than the usual deal we share. From now through Black Friday, get $25 off every Lagoon pillow, $60 off two, or $160 off four - no code needed.

Go to LagoonSleep.com to take the 2-minute quiz and find your perfect pillow, or if you already have a Lagoon pillow - this is your chance to stock up and save!

Life is a series of transitions from one thing to the next, and this year marks a transition for Des with the move from elite marathoning to her next chapter. This episode is about just that and her documentary titled "The Next Chapter," where she talks about the timing and reasons behind this transition for her. If you haven't checked out the documentary already, then do so here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuPVzH3HN8I. It's a must-watch that will have you wiping your eyes. Kara shares the moment with Des as she relates back to her own transition from elite marathoning.

This episode, however, is not all tears. There are plenty of laughs too, as with any conversation between these two. They also talk about signing and getting autographs, hugs from Taylor Swift, first pitches, Kara's new tattoo, hiding purchases from your partner/spouse, food delivery, and some very fast times on the trails at Tunnel Hill. Plus, you get an update on Kara's running and her dystonia. Though running news was light this week, this conversation has so much good stuff in it.

As always, they finish with an uplifting Top 5 sponsored by Lever Movement. For 15% off on your Lever system, use code NOBODYASKEDUS at levermovement.com.