3.42. The X-Rated Episode (XC that is...)

"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.  

This is the post-NYC episode you have been waiting for! First, we catch up on Colt's race on Saturday at the CO state meet where somehow Kara dropped the ball and missed seeing him mid-race. Fortunately, he and his team still ran well, but Des coaches Kara up on how she can be a better specator next year ;). We also get an update on Des's knee and whether or not she will be racing the 50-miler this weekend after running 26.2 in NYC. Then, it's all about New York where Des and Kara mix together Des's run with Anthony Ramos (to an impressive 4:44) with the excitement in the elite races, especially on the women's side. Did Des really experience what it's like to run with the masses in the main field, or is she still a little bit elitist?! How are her legs feeling after 26.2 miles in what might have been her longest run ever by time on her feet? How about that exciting women's race where so many Americans were in the mix and then Obiri, Lokedi, and Chepkirui fended off the challenges from Hassan who just wouldn't go away?! Plus, what about the men's near-photo finish and amazing races for all of the top Americans? What a day in NYC which never disappoints! Special thanks to new sponsor Celcius for sponsoring this episode's top 5 to close the episode. Yes, Celcius is an energy drink but did you know they have electrolyte-based hydration powders with no caffeine as well? Kara and Des are both fans so check them out!

"If you could smell ringworm... " - Des Linden Des and Kara took ketones before this episode so you know it's going to be a good one. They start with life updates including a tick bite and a banged-up knee for Des :( and amazing performances from Colt and his team at XC Regionals to qualify for the state meet. Then, they get spicy and fired up about a host of topics including the recently-announced Treadmill World Championships, a doping storyline on The Morning Show (spoiler alert!), and details about the Ruth Chepngetich doping case. There is plenty to get frustrated about in there, but it is more fun when Des and Kara do it. Finally, they give a thorough NYC preview covering the international and American fields with hints and picks on who might win and be top American on each side. This is a must-listen before you watch (or run) it on Sunday! As always, thank you to Brooks Running who is our presenting sponsor. Thanks also to Ketone-IQ for supporting this episode. To get 30% off on your subscription order and a free 6-pack with your second month, go to this link: https://ketone.com/pages/nobody-asked-us.

From two of your favorite showgirls... this episode covers Taylor's Life of a Showgirl, but it is so much more than that! Some highlights... neti pot usage, (violent) dreams, books, Hunting Wives, Alanis Morissette, Japanese maples vs. redwoods, Showgirl, TS marathon prediction, Femke Bol to the 800m, Courtney Dauwalter on the roads, pillow talk, motivational sunglasses, and so much more! And the real question is: do you hear the words in your head when you read to yourself?! Now, use code NOBODYASKEDUS for 15% off on your first order at Lagoon Sleep. You can check it out at this link to take their pillow quiz and find the perfect pillow for you: https://lagoonsleep.com/pages/lagoon-the-nobody-asked-us-podcast-from-kara-goucher-and-des-linden.

It's October, and marathon season is fully here, which means you will be hearing plenty from Des and Kara over the coming weeks. We know you aren't mad about that! First, you get some fun intro banter talking about college tours, hotel rooms, raw denim, and happy sweaters from the sale rack. You might want to check out YouTube to see the happy sweater. Can you guess who was wearing it?! Then as the main course, they recap the results from the Chicago Marathon including Conner Mantz's American Record, before finishing with their takes on the 2nd Athlos meet that happened in NYC this past weekend. The sport of running is alive and well in its many forms, and we are here to cover it all! Next up... NYC!    

Last night, Des and Kara were live at the Chicago Marathon in a live event hosted by Brooks Running and Fleet Feet Chicago! As with all of the live episodes, this is a fun one with their usual catch-up banter, a very special guest in CJ Albertson, race previews for the marathon on Sunday, and some great questions from the live audience (with all of the audio captured!).  Just some of the fun... CJ's recovery post Tokyo and his goals for Sunday, race day predictions, quick takes on The Life of a Showgirl, what Des and Kara think about each other as friends, tips for evolving your training and goals as you age, and so much more! Good luck to those racing on Sunday. Go get it done!

This is an exciting episode with a very special guest, thanks to our presenting sponsor Brooks Running! Anthony Ramos seems to have done it all from musicals to movies to music to television and more, but he hasn't run a marathon... yet. Thanks to Brooks and the NYRR, plus some sage coaching from the one and only Des Linden, he will achieve that milestone at the NYC Marathon this year. You might know Anthony as the original actor for the dual role of John Laurens and Philip Hamilton in Hamilton or for playing the lead role of Usnavi in the movie version of In the Heights. He is also starring in the upcoming movie A House of Dynamite to be released in theaters on October 10, 2025, before its streaming debut globally on Netflix on October 24, 2025. This is a fun one because Anthony brings all of the doubts and fears and challenges of a new marathoner to the conversation as Des and Kara coach him up a little bit. He relates the challenges of running to his career and is very blunt about his biggest concern for race day in NYC (to which all of you will relate). This one is for all of the Hamilton fans and for the marathoners, new and experienced, that have ever faced a challenge putting one foot in front of the other. Anthony puts words to the pursuit that are very inspiring!

In this final bit of Tokyo coverage, Des catches up with Kara's alter ego (Carol?) to talk about Tokyo recovery and recap the last night of action at the World Champs. Carol is a dead ringer for Kara with a much raspier voice and a deep, deep love of karaoke (no mic needed).  They intro by talking about their return trips from Japan, overcoming jet lag, and trying to avoid getting sick along the way. Kara may not have been so successful there. Then, they did into the final night of track action including recaps of the W800m and M5000m, where Kara's predictions came true and Cole Hocker got his much deserved redemption from the 1500m DQ. Plus, they talk about other fun/exciting moments from the entire meet, and Kara reveals the secret karoake star hiding within the NBC team. We know the World Champs are over, but let's soak it in one last time with these two! Thank you to our sponsor for this podcast - Lagoon Sleep - as they are helping Des and Kara get over their jet lag. Use code NOBODYASKEDUS for 15% off on your first order at Lagoon. You can check it out at this link to take their pillow quiz and find the perfect pillow for you: https://lagoonsleep.com/pages/lagoon-the-nobody-asked-us-podcast-from-kara-goucher-and-des-linden Finally, please show your love to our sponsors for the full Tokyo coverage - Brooks Running, our presenting sponsor, and Ketone-IQ. If you aren't wearing Brooks shoes yet, then go buy some now! And as always, to get your ketone fix, go to https://ketone.com/pages/nobody-asked-us for 30% off on your subscription order.