Extremely Concerning Off-Hours Behavior

It’s another holiday-adjacent, slightly sleep-deprived episode of Off The Rails as Eric Jenkins and Aisha Praught-Leer check in from opposite ends of the country. Eric is fresh off Donovan Brazier’s wedding, while Aisha is deep in Midwest holiday chaos. We're always "one coffee away from a menti-b."

In this episode:

– The fallout from the Grand Slam Track bankruptcy

– The rise of the Patriot Games

– The continued expansion of the Enhanced Games

– A baffling ruling involving Emily Venters’ stripped results sparks a deeper discussion about athlete protections at the collegiate level

– Ideal NIL deals in Eugene (Market of Choice supremacy + The spiritual experience of Hirons Drug Store

– Buc-ee’s, Wawa, and whether Aisha could survive a 74,000-square-foot travel center without a plan

– Eric’s unhinged love of arriving two hours early at the airport

– Chili’s, airport walks, and why Eric thrives in terminal chaos

– Announcement: We're coming out of retirement for cross country

– Strava employee fired after a drunk incident at a bar

– Breaking down results from The Marathon Project

– Voicemails: Bedtime snacks for runners who refuse to give them up; The “Official Marathon Time Integrity Unit” Instagram account and the joy (and danger) of calling out fake marathon times + an Off The Rails bedtime story

📞 Call in to [phone]‬ to leave us a voicemail with any question you may have, whether it’s running-related or not.

📲 Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or follow the show on Spotify to stay up-to-date with all the latest episodes.

Follow your hosts on Instagram:

🗣️ Follow Eric Jenkins: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@_ericjenkins⁠⁠⁠⁠

🗣️ Follow Aisha Praught-Leer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@aishapraughtleer

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

🏃 WAHOO: The KICKR RUN isn’t just another treadmill; it’s a complete rethink of indoor running. With Dynamic Pacing, it automatically adjusts to your stride—no buttons, no breaking form, just pure running freedom. Its Terrain Simulation makes the deck feel like a track or trail, while lateral tilt mimics real-world conditions so you’re always prepared for race day. So whether you’re chasing your first half-marathon finish, a marathon PR, or your next trail adventure, the KICKR RUN is built to help you Run Your Run. Check it all out at ⁠⁠⁠WahooFitness.com⁠⁠⁠ and use code CITIUS at checkout.

----

⚠️ WARNING ⚠️

Listening to “Off The Rails with Eric and Aisha” while running may result in uncontrollable laughter, side stitches, funny looks from strangers, and the occasional trip hazard due to snort-laughing mid-stride. Proceed with caution—and maybe stretch your abs beforehand. Use caution when wearing earbuds in public places—people will wonder if you’re okay. You are. You’re just having a really good time.