Off The Rails is officially back for 2026, and Eric Jenkins and Aisha Praught-Leer waste absolutely no time getting comfortable.

The episode opens with New Year’s resolutions (or the lack thereof), including Eric’s sudden commitment to mindfulness and Aisha’s accidental discovery that Diet Pepsi might be the key to peak hydration.

Also discussed in this episode:

– The rise of hydration culture: Diet Pepsi, Diet Coke, Liquid IV, Spindrift, LaCroix, and the realization that soda might actually be elite

– Aisha’s full hydration personal best and why skiing all day unlocked a new relationship with fluids

– Growing up in the ’90s, mom culture, and why Diet Coke feels genetically encoded

– Aisha accidentally skiing a black diamond, survival turns, and Strava validating the effort

– Why Aisha's Strava is private, deprogramming from pace shame, and learning to enjoy running again

– World Cross Country Championships are days away and the excitement is real

– Beatrice Chebet is sitting out World Cross to prioritize starting a family

– The difference between European and American running fan culture

– Brainstorming a World Cross fantasy draft and snake-draft chaos

– Voicemails include: HBO’s Heated Rivalry/gay hockey discourse; AI chatbots/ChatGPT vs everything else; Stranger Things' final season + more

📞 Call in to (856) 279-0080‬ 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.

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⚠️ 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.

It’s the final episode of Off The Rails for 2025.

In this episode:

– The joy of being home, sleeping in your own bed, and why buying a mattress for your in-laws might be elite holiday behavior

– Casper vs. Costco mattresses and Aisha accidentally starting a comfortable sleep revolution

– Anti-nap club vs. people with the terrifying ability to nap anywhere, anytime

– Snoring horror stories from training camps, Olympic Villages, and the loudest roommates imaginable

– Mouth taping, deviated septums, and why some sleep trends should come with warning labels

– Eric’s ideal sleep setup

– Holiday recaps from Boulder and the Jenkins household, including white Christmases, Scandinavian food traditions, and Boxing Day chaos

– World Cross Country Championships are 13 days away and nobody is talking about it

– Breaking down the newly revealed World Cross course featuring bridges, sand, water pits, mud pits, hay bales, and fake alligators

– Why World Cross is the hardest race in the sport (and possibly turning into a Tough Mudder)

– A full primer on World Cross: distances, formats, mixed relays, and why it’s such a brutal championship

– Previewing the 2026 men’s and women’s fields, including Jacob Kiplimo, Beatrice Chebet, and other global stars

– The full U.S. squads and what a “great day” realistically looks like for American athletes

– A brief history lesson on the last Americans to podium at World Cross

– Why hosting World Cross on U.S. soil actually matters

– Announcement: Eric and Aisha are racing a 4K at World Cross

– Race strategy debates, obstacle-course anxiety, and who’s getting left behind in the mud

– ASICS gear chatter, spike panic, and Achilles-preservation strategies

– Someone admits they would fail a drug test spectacularly

– How contract years actually work in track and field and why early-season races are basically job interviews

– Why kit reveals, sponsorship switches, and brand changes are way messier than fans realize

– The NCAA story involving a collegiate runner fundraising to stay in school — and the baffling eligibility consequences that followed

📞 Call in to (856) 279-0080‬ 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.