Will Leer's College Thesis Predicted Josh Kerr's Mile World Record
Off The Rails With Eric And AishaShow Notes
Aisha Praught-Leer and Eric Jenkins record on the day after Josh Kerr runs 3:42.66 to break the mile world record. Eric's friends don't get it. Aisha's husband spent the day texting every person he's ever run with. Discussed in this episode: – The world record reaction: Eric was pacing around his room, more nervous than Josh. Aisha and Will watched from Crested Butte with just one chair, the fireplace stoop, Tour de France on the TV and London Diamond League on the laptop, Will screaming before 9 AM during HOA quiet hours. They drove home overnight just to record. They listened to Chris and Kyle emergency CITIUS MAG pod in full. – Will Leer's college thesis: His undergraduate thesis in applied mathematics and philosophy modeled out how and when the mile world record would fall, and what optimal splits would look like. Josh Kerr was not yet on anyone's radar when it was written. – Why this is unlike anything we've seen: Breaking Two and the Faith Kipyegon world record projects were incredible and gripping. But this is the first time a world record was called months in advance, built toward publicly with workouts posted on YouTube, and then delivered live in an actual Diamond League race on home turf. No gimmicks, no manufactured scenarios, no flat road. – Race breakdown: Eric breaks down what Kerr did tactically in the first lap — the confidence to let a step open between him and the pacer instead of clinging in panic, the subconscious muscle memory of knowing exactly what 3:42 pace feels like. – The mental toll: Josh's post-race interview with Hannah England — tearing up when asked about the mental toll now that it's done. Aisha breaks down the village around him: family stopped everything for six weeks, a performance coach meeting with him daily. – What comes next: Commonwealth Games next week in Glasgow. – Brandon Miller: 1:42.19 for 800m: Fifth all-time for Americans was a good omen of things to come for the Brooks Beasts. – Jess Hull's return: Looking like herself in London and won the 3000m. – Keely Hodgkinson wins the women's 800: Coming back from the hamstring and the fall at Pre. 1:56 over Femke Bol. Femke discussed at length and her effortless-looking stride. + more from London Diamond League Other topics include: – USATF Outdoor Championships declarations – The Cyclospora explosive diarrhea outbreak: Taylor Farms lettuce. Taco Bell alerted the public first and pulled lettuce from menus in affected states — and is now being blamed. They were the heroes. – This week's voicemails include: A high school track coach struggling with social media-influenced athletes who think they need to run 70 miles a week and do double threshold; Annalise from Denver whose three-year-old's preschool did a Tour de France.
More from Off The Rails With Eric And Aisha
Aisha and Eric are back, recording the weekend after the Chicago and TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathons. Eric recaps his training trips to Chicago and Toronto, previews NYC with his 3:30 group, and then the two spiral through current events Discussed in this week’s episode – Eric's Training Trips to Chicago and Toronto – Kelly Clarkson's animatronic bird drama – Shane Gillis / SNL controversy – Katie Zacharia fired as White House press secretary after 5 days – Discussion on the Nathan Fielder / Elizabeth Holmes movie – Aisha’s golf work trip was surprisingly fun – TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon Recap – Amsterdam Marathon Recap – Looking Ahead: New York Marathon storylines to watch – Problems with broadcasting a marathon – "Let them know we're here." Voicemails this week: Amy's Rational and Irrational Fears (plus sidewalk debate); Second-time caller named Eric pitches that Eric Jenkins should come to a Santa Monica 5K and Zalt should be the official race hydration 📞 Call in to (856) 279-0080 to leave us a voicemail with any question you may have, whether it’s running-related or not. 🍉 This episode is brought to you by ZALT. ZALT is an electrolyte pouch — tuck it in, sip water, and every sip gets electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals. Their new V2 formula packs 372mg of active ingredients per pouch, including French sea salt, potassium, and B vitamins, and it tastes like salt on watermelon. Perfect for long runs, hot days, post-race, or the day after a wedding. Use code OTR10 for 10% off your entire order — and yes, it stacks with other discounts at TRYZALT.COM
Off The Rails goes live in Chicago! On the Friday before the Chicago Marathon, Eric Jenkins and Aisha Praught-Leer take the stage at Happy Camper with special guests Sharon Lokedi and her pacer Jacob Thomson. Sharon talks mindset and gardening, and gives us a surprise hard launch. Plus pop culture, Chicago predictions, trivia and live voicemails from the crowd. Topics: Sharon Lokedi on Boston, her course record and throwing out a first pitch at Fenway Why she treats every marathon like her first JT on pacing Sharon after pacing Weini Kelati to the American half record Sharon’s garden, her plants and Watchgate JT on what makes Sharon special Sharon’s custom Under Armour kit and her advice for Sunday’s runners
Chicago week! Aisha is fresh off a hair appointment and attempting to preserve the blowout via silk pillowcases, a sleeping rod, and the full Jason-from-Halloween night routine. Eric completed a ten-mile run this week. The live show is in five days. There is a lot more to discuss. In this week's episode: – Chicago live show is on Friday, October 9th, sold out: Put your name on the waitlist in case of drops. Under Armour is supporting the show. Sharon Lokedi is the guest and she's racing Chicago for the first time. She has won two Bostons and debuted with a New York win, and is going for a fast time on a flat course for the first time in her career. Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/off-the-rails-live-in-chicago-presented-by-under-armour-tickets-2002158580210
A nor'easter that didn't deliver brought Eric Jenkins to the microphone slightly dehydrated, slightly tired from a night with the boys, running a maximum of four miles this week, and with a 3:30 marathon goal that may have shifted to four hours or something in that vicinity. The episode goes extremely Off the Rails from the start. Buckle up. Discussed in this episode: – Eric's marathon update: He is running. Four miles is the current long run. The 3:30 goal may have shifted. – Chicago live show is sold out! Waitlist available for those who missed out. Check it out here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/off-the-rails-live-in-chicago-presented-by-under-armour-tickets-2002158580210?aff=oddtdtcreator – The Avengers and Disney Channel original movies rankings – The Strait of Hormuz is still closed and Iran was offered a seven-day plan. Trump said it was unacceptable. – CNN headline: "Kash Patel Defends Removing Bestiality as Automatic Disqualifier for FBI Applicants." Both hosts process this live. – An update on the Lindsay Clancy case: Mistrial declared, one holdout juror. The holdout is being attacked online. – Ed Sheeran, Macklemore, and the shaved head: Macklemore spoke out in support of Palestine at a show. Robert Kraft's venues made clear they wouldn't host the tour with Macklemore opening. Ed dropped Macklemore. Macklemore donated over a million dollars in tour earnings to Palestinian organizations. Ed apologized emotionally at a concert and shaved his head. – Berlin Marathon results: Tigst Assefa wins in 2:11:04 — third-fastest women's marathon ever. Won by almost six minutes. Was on world record pace deep into the race but faded slightly in the final kilometers. – Chicago Marathon preview: Men's highlights: Jacob Kiplimo (2:00), Amos Kipruto (2:01), Bashir Abdi (2:03), Charles Hicks (2:04), Clayton Young going for the American record, Vinny Mauri (self-coached, ASICS just signed him, soloed 2:05 on a bike path), Galen Rupp + more. The American record is genuinely in play with this field on a favorable day. Women's highlights: Twelve women sub-2:20 in the field. Bridget Kosgei returns to where she broke the marathon world record. Sharon Lokedi with her PR of 2:17:22, going for a flat course time — genuinely going after something new after dominating on Boston and New York's hilly profiles.. Emma Grace Hurley is coming off a massive Copenhagen half just three weeks ago. – Josh Kerr time trial dropped: – Voicemails: A caller from Hawaii asks about the handicap format, world record potential, and other distances that might work in a handicap race like the Merrie Mile; Gabby in Burlington asks whether either host ever wished they'd had a rehearsal for a moment in their running career; Christina in Oakland wore her This Gig Is Hell cap to a playground meetup with fellow parents; A caller says she is running a spite marathon from a recent divorce and was invited to the NYRR gala the Thursday before the New York City Marathon and wonders if she can go without a plus one. – Coming up: Chicago Marathon and the live show. Eric's training this week. Cycling World Championships results. 🍉 This episode is brought to you by ZALT. ZALT is an electrolyte pouch — tuck it in, sip water, and every sip gets electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals. Their new V2 formula packs 372mg of active ingredients per pouch, including French sea salt, potassium, and B vitamins, and it tastes like salt on watermelon. Perfect for long runs, hot days, post-race, or the day after a wedding. Use code OTR10 for 10% off your entire order — and yes, it stacks with other discounts at TRYZALT.COM 🛒 Get your Off The Rails merch here: https://off-the-rails-pod-shop.fourthwall.com/ 📞 Call in to (856) 279-0080 to leave us a voicemail with any question you may have, whether it’s running-related or not. Follow your hosts on Instagram: 🗣️ Follow Eric Jenkins: @_ericjenkins 🗣️ Follow Aisha Praught-Leer: @aishapraughtleer
Both hosts just off planes. Aisha has a girls' weekend voice situation — no sexy raspy, just middle school puberty cracking. Eric went to Athlos London for 48 hours, did not walk the red carpet, and ate approximately four bacon sandwiches. Discussed in this episode: – Eric at Athlos London — the full debrief: 48 hours. Tate Modern Museum. Saint Paul's Cathedral (almost broke down from the beauty). Camden neighborhood. No red carpet — didn't have the right fit, a decision Aisha processes audibly in real time. – Athlos race highlights: Sha'Carri Richardson, women's 100m, 10.8; Keely Hodgkinson wins the women's 800m in 1:56 in a Nike speed suit (the big fashion moment of the meet); Claudia Kązmierska wins the women's mile for three big ones in a row + more – Chris and Kari are having a baby: The CITIUS MAG overlords are growing by one. Both hosts are genuinely thrilled and genuinely aware that as soon as this baby talks, their jobs are in jeopardy. A baby with Chris Chavez's curiosity and Kari's musical ability and on the CITIUS MAG mic within six months: they are cooked. – The Emmys: Drama series: The Pit wins big. The Diplomat is one of Aisha's favorite shows ever. Comedy: Widows Bay wins — Eric has seen it, recommends it, it's on Apple TV. – Mitch McConnell memes – Boulder dog guardianship law: In Boulder, you are not an owner of a dog. You are a dog guardian. City ordinance. – Marathon training — Eric's update: Calves at approximately 82%. Running is scheduled for this week. He will be the most undertrained person on the start line of the New York City Marathon. – World Road Running Championships, Copenhagen: Agnes Ngetich — new women's half marathon world record, 65:15