Podcast
Nobody Asked Us with Des & Kara
Hosted by Des Linden and Kara Goucher · EN
Once competitors and Olympic teammates, now friends and podcast partners, Des Linden and Kara Goucher share their hot takes about all things running with a little bit of life-stuff sprinkled in too. Come for the insights on running and stay for the inspiration from two legends in the sport. No filter needed.
This podcast is presented by Brooks Running.
31episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
4.22. Real Track Talk
6d ago00:57:25Tap to summarizeYes, there was that other gimmicky meet this weekend, but we don't have time for that. There is real track to talk about it after all! Outdoor track is *finally* in swing, and there are some great story lines to discuss already. First, Kara and Des acknowledge that the last episode did indeed live up to its name. There was plenty of "hate mail" and feedback to go around. They discuss the polarizing opinions on it and if they would do anything differently. Then, they catch up on their own lives - Colt's mile PR and blazing fast Bolder Boulder (while a little under the weather no less), Des's return to running after her break, summers in Minnesota and Michigan, and plans for the live shows at Grandma's soon. Next, they get into all of the "real" track action from the weekend from the LA Track Fest and the Diamond League, before previewing a few exciting things to come later this summer. Parker Valby. Emma Coburn. Brandon Miller. Josh Kerr. Emily Mackay. Keely Hodgkinson. And more. From comebacks and PRs to WR attempts on deck. It's going to be a fun summer of track! Enjoy the Lever lift-up moments and the top 5 to close the episode. This one is for the track nerd and the aspiring track nerd! Now to support the pod and get your LEVER Movement system, use code NOBODYASKEDUS for 20% off here... Purchase link: https://bit.ly/4bLI2tG
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4.21. The Hate Mail Episode
2w ago01:02:26Tap to summarizeCue the comments section. We think this one is going to get a lot of attention - good and bad. It was a slower-news, running week, so there were a lot of angry runners arguing on social media about silly (?) things. Naturally, Des and Kara have to weigh in because many of you did already. But first (!)... Kara gives us a recap of Colt's amazing run in the 2-mile at state, after correcting the record on his 800m PR. His race at state was full of surges, but he finished higher than his seed in 14th and now is exciting to head to the Brooks PR meet. Meanwhile, Des is enjoying her time off from training but is now feeling the urge to get started again before this becomes a permanent break. Then, they dig into the drama with reactions about the Satisfy Running debate, where many people (particularly in the trail world) are frustrated about how they are showing up in the sport. Satisfy is a new-ish running shoe and apparel brand. Their gear is really expensive, but should we be mad about it? As a fun side question on this debate, Kara was asked: "Is she sad that she missed the NIL era with her own college career?" Next, they weigh in on the Cam Hanes vs. Sage Cannaday showdown on the socials. Sage turned Cam into USADA for openly admitting to using banned substances in his build-up to the Eugene Marathon (where he won his age group and placed 2nd Masters). Many people are mad at Sage on social media, defending Cam since there was no money or Team USA spot on the line. The Eugene Marathon, however, is a USATF-sanctioned event where there are rules against doping, amateur or not. What is the obligation of the amateur to follow anti-doping rules and do we want USADA or WADA worried about enforcement for the entire field? This topic is trickier than you think, when you dig into the nuance of it. What do you think?! Note: Kara mistakenly said Cam's time at Eugene was 2:37. He ran 2:39:11. Finally along with a top 5, they get to the real crux of the episode. Are you a Minnesota or Irish goodbye person and when is the Irish goodbye ok?!? Plus... Des and Kara give a huge shout-out and some advice to listeners Nick and Avery on their upcoming wedding! Now, go pick up your pillow from Lagoon - the Otter or the "Thin"-Chilla (as Des dubbed it). Use code NOBODYASKEDUS for 15% off on your first order here: https://lagoonsleep.com/pages/lagoon-the-nobody-asked-us-podcast-from-kara-goucher-and-des-linden
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4.20. The Colt and Cocodona Episode
3w ago01:05:00Tap to summarize1KG was a one hit wonder, Colt is going to state, and Rachel and Courtney are serious badasses. This episode is just a fun one, as usual. Kara gives a masterclass on parenting a young athlete while trying to stay calm during Colt's push for a state qualifying time in the 2-mile. He gets it with a massive PR. Kara and Des break down the impressive action from Cocodona 250 where Rachel Entrekin WON the whole damn thing in a course-record time. Meanwhile, Courtney Dauwalter conquers the 200+ mile distance for the first time to earn 2nd female and 6th overall. Is there anything she can't do?! Abby Steiner is suing Puma over "defective shoes?" What does that mean? Are super shoes even safe?!? Who needs a cuddle from their dog? And, who needs a little Ketone for recovery? Grab a blanket, your favorite pet, and cuddle up for another great episode! To take advantage of the Ketone deal from the episode, go to this link for Ketone-IQ: https://ketone.com/pages/nobody-asked-us.
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4.19. The Marathon des Sables Recap
4w ago01:26:02Tap to summarizeThis is the episode you have been waiting for! Des gives us all of the incredible (and sometimes gory) details of her podium finish at the Marathon des Sables through the Sahara. From the hectic travel to exactly what self-supported means and all of the details of each stage, she holds nothing back (including the water to rehydrate her portable toilet paper). She carried all of her food and gear for each of the 6 stages, and still managed to crush it. The queen of Boston becomes the queen of the desert, and it's an amazing tale to tell. As always, thank you to Brooks Running as our presenting sponsor. Also, thank you to our additional sponsor for this episode - Lever Movement. To support the pod and LEVER, use code NOBODYASKEDUS for 20% off here... Link to purchase: https://bit.ly/4bLI2tG
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4.18. Freshy Fresh for London 2026!
Apr 2901:15:03Tap to summarizeIt's been a crazy three weeks for Des and Kara, and now they are happy to be home and sleeping in their own beds with their Lagoon pillows. In this episode, they recap all that was the London Marathon from their live pod with Cynthia Erivo to Des's run with CB to the blazing-fast elite races. Of course, they keep it real with their takes on the sub 2 and the women's only WR. Some of you (guys in particular) might not like their takes, but that's why we love them. They call it like they see it! Plus, they share their perspectives on the shocking 2:05 race at the Glass City Marathon in Toledo, including the fun implications for the men's marathon trials in 2028. Hello Vinny Mauri... welcome to the scene with a US debut record! Thank you to our sponsors for this episode: Ketone-IQ and Lagoon Sleep. They both help Kara and Des keep going (in very different ways) through these crazy weeks. To take advantage of the special deals for those two sponsors, go to these links: Ketone-IQ: https://ketone.com/pages/nobody-asked-us Lagoon Sleep: https://lagoonsleep.com/pages/lagoon-the-nobody-asked-us-podcast-from-kara-goucher-and-des-linden
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4.17. Live from London with Cynthia Erivo!
Apr 2400:47:55Tap to summarizeFrom Boston to London Des and Kara are live again, this time with very special guests! In this intimate conversation, Cynthia Erivo shares her journey into distance running, how she balances marathon training with a demanding creative career, and what's fueling her preparation as she heads into London 2026. She'll be joined on stage by Brooks pro marathoner Erika Kemp, her marathon coach, offering additional perspective on the training process, mindset, and work behind the scenes as race day approaches. If you aren't familiar with Cynthia's work, she is one of a select group of people to be nominated for an Emmy, Tony, Grammy, and Oscar, so far winning all but the Oscar. She made her West End debut in the stage musical The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (2011) and her Broadway debut as Celie in the musical revival of The Color Purple (2015–2017). She expanded to films in 2018 with the crime thrillers Widows and Bad Times at the El Royale and then later Harriet (2019), Wicked (2024), and Wicked: For Good (2025). Hosted live at the Brooks Hyperion House in the lead up to London Marathon weekend, this one-time event brings together honest storytelling, elite insight, and the global marathon community—live and unfiltered. Enjoy as you prep for the excitement of the London Marathon coming on Sunday!
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4.16. Freshy Fresh from Boston 2026!
Apr 2100:43:45Tap to summarizeHot off the presses... it's another freshy fresh from Des and Kara. This was recorded just a few hours after Des ran 2:35 from the main field, and Kara finished commentating the world feed. So... the takes and reactions are as freshy fresh as they can be! You get their thoughts on the races of the day with Korir and Lokedi both defending their titles, and Americans setting all sorts of records on this course. Plus, Des shares the details of her race pacing Ryan after bouncing back from MDS. She was the fastest woman in the main field and second masters on chip time, all with a beer cracked in Newton. Unbelievable running from her and what a day in Boston! Listen in and bask in the after glow with us!
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4.15. Live from Boston 2026!
Apr 1901:06:44Tap to summarize"I may not be elite, but I will always be VIP." - Des Linden That quote alone should be enough to suck you into this one. What a night in Boston! Over 1,000 of you packed into the Berklee Performance Center near Boylston for a live taping of Nobody Asked Us with Des and Kara, presented by Brooks Running. Des and Kara delivered with an awesome night, breaking down the fields for the marathon, reminiscing on 2018, and giving you all of the motivation you need if you are racing yourself. This is a must-watch before Marathon Monday!
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4.14. The Boston Preview Episode
Apr 800:34:16Tap to summarizeThis episode was recorded on March 30th before Des left for Morocco. She is now in her 4th stage of the Marathon de Sables and absolutely crushing it across the Sahara. You can check the live results via the "LiveTrail" app. She's currently 4th overall female after 3 stages with the big 100K stage up next. The podium is within reach! Go Des! In this episode, Des and Kara break down the start lists for the Boston Marathon and tell you what to expect at the front of the races - who are the favorites, who might win, and what to expect from the top Americans. They also talk Boston tactics and how those have evolved with the advent of super shoes. It's less than 2 weeks to Marathon Monday... let's go! Note: Since the recording, Conner Mantz, Natosha Rogers, Megan Sailor, and Gabi Rooker have all withdrawn from the race.
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4.13. The Dropped Episode
Apr 101:04:33Tap to summarizeCue the latest running controversy because it had been a few weeks. But first (!), Kara and Des update you on their lives including the latest race from Colt, and of course, Des's final preparation for Marathon des Sables. She will soon be running self-supported across the Sahara desert. In fact, she lands in Morocco on the very day this episode posts. Go Des... we are ALL cheering for you! Then if you missed it, Emma Bates posted on IG about getting "dropped" by UCAN (her nutrition sponsor) because of her pregnancy. Naturally, the world came to her defense, and now Emma is sharing more of her story on Ali Feller's podcast. Kara is no stranger to this issue, so she and Des dig into it, raising some good questions on the topic as well as a host of related ones. The short answer is... it's complicated, as many things are for athletes that are contractors and not in-house employees. Overall though, more rights and support for pregnant athletes is needed, and Alysia Montaño and Allyson Felix are leading the way. If you want to help, then put your time, energy, and money behind their work! Finally, we want to thank Lagoon for supporting the podcast (as well as Emma Bates even through her pregnancy)! Go take the quiz and get your pillow here: https://lagoonsleep.com/pages/lagoon-the-nobody-asked-us-podcast-from-kara-goucher-and-des-linden. Use code NOBODYASKEDUS for 15% off on your first purchase. Plus, get your tickets to the Boston live show here: https://www.berklee.edu/BPC/events/nobody-asked-us-with-des-kara. Use the following passwords to order: Password for regular tickets: NAUBROOKS Password for VIP meet and greet: NAUBROOKSBRC We hope to see you all there!
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