Episodios

  • Running Through the Generations: Village Shalom's Father's Day Tradition

    Running Through the Generations: Village Shalom's Father's Day Tradition
    May 19 2025
    This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast, we celebrate the perfect Father's Day gift – a community run with purpose. We're joined by an inspiring panel from Village Shalom retirement and memory care facility in Overland Park, as they prepare for their annual Father's Day 5K & 10K on June 15, 2025. Board Chair Bob Gerson shares the heart behind this tradition, while we're treated to wisdom and wonderful stories from 95-year-old running legend Alan Poisner, whose presence alone proves that movement truly is the fountain of youth. Representatives Hope Howe and Ben Heisler complete our roundtable, offering insights into Village Shalom's mission, the race's evolution, and what makes this course uniquely special. From the facility's rich history of compassionate care to the inclusive nature of this multi-generational event, our conversation highlights how this isn't just another 5K or 10K – it's a celebration of fathers, families, and the joy of movement at every stage of life. Whether you're looking for a meaningful way to celebrate Father's Day, curious about racing well into your 90s, or simply want to support a worthy cause, this episode will inspire you to lace up and register for this June 15th tradition that brings the Kansas City running community together across all ages.
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    27 m
  • Running for Awareness: The Critical Mission of the Fighting Fentanyl 5K

    Running for Awareness: The Critical Mission of the Fighting Fentanyl 5K
    May 12 2025
    This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast, we bring you a conversation that transcends running and touches on an urgent public health crisis affecting our communities. We sit down with Libby Davis, founder of "Keepin' Clean for Coop" and the Cooper Davis Memorial Foundation, who shares the heartbreaking story behind her mission after losing her son to fentanyl poisoning. Libby reveals the shocking reality that Kansas leads the nation in fentanyl-related deaths per capita among 15-19 year olds, and how a lethal dose is small enough to fit on a pencil tip. We discuss the upcoming Fighting Fentanyl 5K on June 14th at Mill Valley High School – not just a race, but a powerful movement combining fitness with life-saving education. Learn how last year's event helped put awareness ads in front of Kansans over 9 million times, and how the new team registration option is building community support. This episode goes beyond typical race coverage to address a crisis every parent, educator, and community member needs to understand. Whether you're joining the 5K or simply want to protect your loved ones, this conversation about youth mental health, deceptive social media drug sales, and prevention strategies could literally save lives in your circle.
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    29 m
  • Growing Tomorrow's Triathletes: Inside JCPRD's Team Tri913

    Growing Tomorrow's Triathletes: Inside JCPRD's Team Tri913
    May 9 2025
    This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast: Second Wind, we dive into the exciting world of local multisport events with special guests Josh and Katy from Johnson County Parks and Recreation Department (JCPRD). These race directors extraordinaire pull back the curtain on organizing some of the Kansas City area's most beloved endurance events, including the Kill Creek Triathlon, Shawnee Mission Park Triathlon, and Heritage Park distance races. The spotlight shines especially bright on their groundbreaking new initiative – Team Tri913 – a youth triathlon program launching this summer designed to introduce the next generation to the joys of swimming, biking, and running. Get the inside scoop on this innovative program's structure, goals, and how it's creating accessible pathways for kids to experience the transformative power of endurance sports. Plus, hear the exclusive announcement about how The Back of the Pack Podcast will be partnering with JCPRD at this year's Shawnee Mission Triathlon to enhance the experience for participants and spectators alike. Whether you're a triathlon enthusiast, a parent looking for youth athletic opportunities, or simply curious about the people behind your favorite local races, this conversation showcases the passionate community builders making multisport magic happen in Johnson County.
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    51 m
  • Capital Punishment: Tackling Topeka and Lincoln Back-to-Back

    Capital Punishment: Tackling Topeka and Lincoln Back-to-Back
    May 5 2025
    This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast, we tackle the grueling "Fly Over Challenge" - an ambitious weekend of back-to-back half marathons across two states in just 24 hours. Join us as we recount our journey from the rolling hills of the Top City Half Marathon in Topeka, Kansas on Saturday morning to the spirited streets of the Lincoln Half Marathon in Nebraska on Sunday. We break down every aspect of this double-header weekend: from navigating the capital city courses and managing the three-hour interstate drive between races, to the mental and physical battle of waking up with 13.1 miles already in the legs and facing another starting line. You'll hear unfiltered insights about course conditions, crowd support, medal quality, and the unique characteristics that make each race special, along with the reality of what it takes to complete 26.2 miles split across consecutive days. Whether you're considering your own back-to-back challenge or just enjoy the vicarious thrill of extreme running adventures, this comprehensive race review delivers the complete Fly Over Challenge experience from start to finish(es).
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    33 m
  • Fueling Smarter, Not Harder: The Truth About Carb Loading

    Fueling Smarter, Not Harder: The Truth About Carb Loading
    May 2 2025
    This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast: Second Wind, we roll out the red carpet for special guest host Karin Velez, the award-winning creator behind the "Just Grow Something Podcast." In this nutrition-focused episode, Karin brings her expertise to tackle one of running's most misunderstood rituals – carb loading. Far beyond the simplistic "pasta party" approach the night before a race, Karin delivers a comprehensive FAQ-based breakdown that transforms how runners should think about strategic carbohydrate consumption. She expertly navigates the science behind proper carb loading, dispels common myths that may be sabotaging your race performance, and offers age-specific approaches that acknowledge how our nutritional needs evolve throughout our running journey. Whether you're preparing for your first 10K or your twentieth marathon, Karin's practical, evidence-based strategies will revolutionize your pre-race nutrition plan and potentially unlock performance gains you never thought possible. Don't miss this essential episode that finally answers the question: "Am I really carb loading correctly, or just eating extra pasta?"
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    21 m
  • Running for the Roses: The Kentucky Derby Festival Challenge

    Running for the Roses: The Kentucky Derby Festival Challenge
    Apr 28 2025
    This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast, we take you on our whirlwind adventure to the Bluegrass State for the Kentucky Derby Festival race weekend! Follow our journey as we road trip to Louisville, swing by the iconic Louisville Slugger Museum to see baseball history in the making, and then tackle not one but two races in 24 hours. We break down Friday night's KDF 5K experience, complete with its unique evening atmosphere, before diving into Saturday morning's main event – the miniMARATHON half marathon that puts runners right through the historic Churchill Downs. Hear our unfiltered account of the weekend's highs (beautiful course sections, dual race medals) and lows (aid station chaos and overzealous pacers that left runners scrambling). We'll share our honest assessment of this Derby Festival tradition, practical tips for future participants considering the challenge, and whether the trek to Kentucky was worth it for this racing experience. Whether you're looking for your next destination race or just enjoy hearing about running adventures gone slightly sideways, this episode delivers the complete Louisville racing experience from start to finish line.
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    41 m
  • Derby Dash: Previewing Kentucky's Premier Running Festival

    Derby Dash: Previewing Kentucky's Premier Running Festival
    Apr 21 2025
    This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast, we deliver a triple-header of running excitement! We kick things off with our breakdown of the 2025 Boston Marathon results, analyzing the elite performances and standout moments from America's most prestigious road race. Next, we share our experience at the Easter Egg 5K and 10K in Overland Park, Kansas, giving you the inside scoop on this springtime tradition. The main event follows as we preview our upcoming adventure to the GE Appliances Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon in Louisville, diving into this iconic race's rich history from its humble 1974 beginnings to today's 15,000-strong field. We explore the unique course highlights – including the thrilling run through Churchill Downs – and share essential Louisville running culture, from popular training routes along the waterfront to the city's vibrant running community. Whether you're considering this race for your calendar, planning a running trip to Derby City, or just curious about one of the Midwest's largest half marathons, we've packed this episode with insider information, local tips, and travel insights to get you as excited about Louisville as we are!
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    30 m
  • Owning Every Mile: Accountability in the Running Community

    Owning Every Mile: Accountability in the Running Community
    Apr 18 2025
    This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast: Second Wind, we share a remarkable story of accountability from The Running Well store that transformed a minor expo table mishap into a lesson in ownership and integrity. After mentioning the incident on Monday's episode, the store reached out with an apology, demonstrating the power of taking responsibility in the running community. Inspired by this gesture, we dive deep into how accountability shapes every aspect of our running journeys: from the honesty required in training logs and the ownership of race performances (both triumphant and disappointing), to the responsibility we hold in recovery practices and as stewards of our running environments. We explore how the most respected athletes, races, and brands demonstrate accountability, and why developing this trait might be as important to your long-term running success as any training plan. Whether you're struggling with consistency, managing a running setback, or looking to deepen your connection to the running community, this episode offers practical insights on how taking ownership can transform not just your running, but your relationship with the sport itself.
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    32 m
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