Tough Runs Don't Last
by Tough Runs Don't Last
Graham and Michelle provide their insight and knowledge (or lack thereof) on all things running. That includes their unique experiences with live races, training, hard lessons learned, and some interesting stories in between. Whether you're a longtime runner or a beginner interested in signing up for your first 5K, the Tough Runs Don't Last podcast has something for everyone!
Episodes
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Episode 68: Stampede 10K, Pumpkin Run, Navy Half Marathon & Bumble gets a new sister
Michelle and Graham recap their life experiences over the last few weeks, including getting a new dog and hot water heater. Graham runs his second-fastest 10K, sets a 5K PR in his hometown yesterday (Saturday) and paces the Navy Mid-South Half Marathon in Millington, Tennessee, on Sunday (today)....
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Episode 67: ARK 5K experience & Graham gets news about the 2026 Chicago Marathon!!
Michelle and Graham take part in the 45th annual ARK 5K in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Graham forgets his race (dry-fit) socks and dress-up tennis shoes, and goes to a wedding afterward wearing sweat-soaked socks and shoes. What's the difference between an all-out-effort race and a smart-pace...
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Episode 66: Scorchin' Squirrel 20-miler & Hope Watermelon 5K recap + 50-mile ultra races/buckles
Graham recaps his experiences at the Hope Watermelon 5K and the toughest race he's ever done for two years in a row now ... the Scorchin' Squirrel 20-mile trail race at Ferncliff in Little Rock, Arkansas. How did Graham do at this year's Scorchin' Squirrel compared to last year's race? How'd the...
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Episode 65: Eurotrip recap & Watermelon 5K + Scorchin' Squirrel preview
Michelle and Graham are back in the states! They give a thorough recap of their trip to Europe, including the sites, views, food and all the places Graham ran while across the pond. They also give a brief preview of what's next on Graham's race schedule: the Hope Watermelon 5K and the Scorchin'...
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Episode 64: SoMa 1-mile & Arkansas 2-miler recap & a possible race in Switzerland??
Michelle & Graham are back after a month-long hiatus, but they give their listeners insight on what they've been up to as of late. They both ran the SoMa 1-mile race in downtown Little Rock and the Arkansas 2-miler in Benton earlier this month. Michelle moved and has a major announcement…
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Episode 63: Graham gets hot at the Hometown half + it's SoMa 1-mile week!
While Michelle has spent the last couple of weeks preparing to move, Graham spent his Saturday at the Hometown half marathon in North Little Rock, Arkansas. By the way, he does show off his license plate medal on this episode. Graham paced the 2-hour group on Saturday, and although he had a solid...
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Episode 62: School's out for summer and 4-straight weeks of races for Graham
Graham briefly recaps his half marathon from last weekend, then gives a rundown (pun intended) of what all he has coming up, which is four-consecutive weekend races, starting on Saturday at the River Trail 15K in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Michelle will participate in the last two of those...
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Episode 61: Toad Suck 10K & Frisco Railroad Run
Graham gets PRs in back-to-back weekends at the Frisco Railroad Run and the Toad Suck 10K. Graham did the marathon race at Frisco in Willard, Missouri, last weekend; then, he followed that up with his 10K on Saturday in Conway, Arkansas. In Willard, he came across ice cold water and king snakes;...
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Episode 60: 2026 Boston Marathon preview, charity runners, Hogeye weekend & more!
Michelle and Graham preview (sort of) Monday's Boston Marathon and say what they think regarding runners that qualify to run the prestigious race, and those that receive a bib via a charity organization. Yes, it's a hot topic. Graham also gives a recap of last weekend's Hogeye Marathon races, and...
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Episode 59: Capital City Classic, Fort Smith Marathon, Hogeye Marathon & Tribal Runners
Michelle and Graham update the world on what's new in their world. Graham gets a 10K PR at the Capital City Classic in Little Rock last weekend before pacing the Fort Smith half marathon the following day. Your hosts also touch up on how their Spring Fling 5K went last month, and discuss how...
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Episode 58: 2026 Run for the Fallen & Chase Race recap
Graham took part in a unique run on Sunday to honor our nation's heroes, and on Saturday, he and Michelle took part in the Chase Race 2-Mile run in Conway. Banana Ball was squeezed in between all that, and Michelle and Graham become Loco Beach Coconut fans in the process!
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Episode 57: Little Rock Marathon weekend 2026!
On this episode, Graham and Michelle take a deep dive into the 2026 Little Rock Marathon weekend. Graham ran both races over the weekend, so he tells you how things went from his perspective. On Saturday, he strolled his way to a third-place finish in his age group at the 10K, and on Sunday, he...
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Episode 56: Michelle & Graham return after a month(ish) off
Your hosts make their return to the studio (Graham's living room) to discuss what they've been up to since Episode 55 (the last episode). Find out what's new in Michelle's life, what races Graham has run and plans to run soon. Lastly, M & G give their thoughts on The Great World Race. Also…
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Episode 55: Running recap of 2025, what's to come in 2026 & Michelle's unexpected love for The Boys!
Michelle and Graham recap their 2025 year in running, discuss their goals for 2026, and Michelle finds out she's a big fan of The Boys!
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Episode 54: 2025 Ugly Sweater 5K & guess who signed up for the 2026 Arkansas Grand Prix?
Michelle and Graham recap their race day experience at the Ugly Sweater 5K on Saturday in Little Rock, Arkansas. Graham also does a quick recap of the half marathon he ran on December 13. Michelle is fostering an awesome dog named Draco, who is up for adoption at the Bryant Animal Shelter.…
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Episode 53: 3 Bridges Marathon 2025 recap
Graham details his experience at Saturday's 3 Bridges Marathon in Little Rock, and explains why it might've been his toughest marathon race since his first one in 2011. He also recalls the last two years of the Arkansas Grand Prix and says what's next for him in 2026, which includes three spring...
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Episode 52: Spa 10K recap, busy November for Graham, future goals (or lack thereof) for your hosts.
Michelle and Graham took part in the annual Spa Running Festival in Hot Springs, Arkansas, on Saturday. See how their 10K went, and hear their thoughts on the Spa Running Festival overall. Graham does a brief recap of his last two half marathons, then a quick preview of the White River half...
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Episode 51: 2025 Arkansas 20K recap, what's left for Graham this year & Horror movies+shows!
Graham and Michelle took part in the Arkansas 20K in Benton on Saturday, but in very different roles. Graham has a busy running schedule between now and December 6. Your two hosts talk a little about their goals next year, but with Halloween being on Friday, M&G discuss the Ed Gein series on...
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Episode 50: Michelle has surgery, Graham has a half marathon kind of weekend!
Michelle gets her calf surgerated on and limps her way around Booneville while Graham ran the Bearcat Half Marathon on Saturday. After his easy sub-2-hour half on Saturday in Logan County, Graham came home to pace the Spooky Sprint Half Marathon in North Little Rock on Sunday. Learn more about...
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Episode 49: MJ's Stampede 10K & Great 5K Pumpkin Run recap + what tree bushes to keep and get rid of
Michelle and Graham recap their runs from the Stampede 10K in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and the Great 5K Pumpkin Run in their hometown (Lonoke, Arkansas). Did they surpass their goal times? Michelle gets ready to have surgery on her calf while Graham gears up for a very busy running schedule. Also,...
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Episode 48: MJ's Stampede 10K + 5K Pumpkin Run preview & the training in between (or lack thereof).
Michelle and Graham are back to preview their upcoming 10K race in Fort Smith, Arkansas, next weekend. Graham explains why he is cursed by the 10K race distance and what he and Michelle can expect on the Stampede course next Saturday. Michelle and Graham go to their hometown the following weekend...
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Episode 47: Scorchin' Squirrel 20-mile recap, training run woes, ARK 5K preview
Graham recaps the hardest race he's ever participated in, the Scorchin' Squirrel 20-mile trail run in Little Rock, Arkansas. He gives kudos to his running vest, and the trail race volunteers for allowing him and his brother Ben to finish strong ... well, finish. Graham calls Michelle after his…
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Episode 46: Watermelon 5K recap, school, and the Scorchin' Squirrel 20-mile trail race
WE'RE BACK!!! After a 5-week hiatus, your fav running podcast hosts return with a recap of the Watermelon 5K in Hope, Arkansas. Are the watermelons that good? Graham finishes with school (for now) as Michelle preps for her third year of law school. Graham plans to return to training full-time…
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Episode 45: Final podcast till August 10!
Michelle and Graham discuss all things current in their lives. With Graham back in school for another month, he explains how he plans to find the time to squeeze runs into his busy schedule. Michelle teases her attempt at a half marathon without training. Check the vlog to see how that went. She...
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Episode 44: SoMa Main Street Mile recap
Graham and Michelle ran a 1-mile race in the SoMa (South Main Street) area of Little Rock on Friday night. Listen to their recap of the race itself and their experience with it, watching the elites run, and some of the funny things people will post to their Strava activities. Stay tuned for next...
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Episode 43: Arkansas Runner 2-Mile race recap + what goes through our heads during a live race
Michelle and Graham discuss their performance at the Arkansas Runner 2-Mile race in Benton, Arkansas yesterday (Saturday, June 14, 2025), score the Italian ice they had afterwards, and even discuss what goes through their heads during a live race.
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Episode 42: Running wild in Memphis — Hometown half marathon edition
Michelle and Graham take a weekend trip to Memphis to eat the best BBQ, chicken, and run a half marathon at Shelby Farms. Well, Graham ran it in his usual pacing time slot for Beast Pacing, while Michelle vlogged the highlights from the weekend. The weather and temperature were perfect this...
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Episode 41: Catsmacker preview + Hometown half marathon & things to do when in Memphis
Graham gets a bit of a break before his next race, which is a trail race in Perryville, Arkansas, next Saturday. It's the Catsmacker (or Kittysmacker), and it'll be his second-ever trail race. After that, Graham's next three races will be pacing gigs, all of which will be the Hometown half...
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Episode 40: DoNot Stop half marathon races + Michelle & Graham go the Extra Mile at the Wildcat
Michelle & Graham start the show by discussing the 2025 Boston Marathon race they somehow forgot to talk about on the last episode; then, Graham recaps his double-pacing gig last weekend in Fayetteville and Little Rock. Lastly, he and Michelle talk about their experience at the Wildcat Extra Mile...
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Episode 39: Hogeye marathon weekend recap, Graham's double-pacing gig, Michelle won't stop talking!!
Graham can hardly get a word in on this episode, as Michelle talks his ear off (blatant sarcasm), but he is able to speak long enough to recap his experience with the Hogeye marathon weekend races last week. Graham got a PR in the half and finished first in his age group at Sunday's 10K, even...
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Episode 38: Part II
Michelle and Graham discuss what's next on their running schedules and inform the audience about one of the more unique running series in Arkansas: The Natural State Running Series.
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Episode 38: Part I
On this 2-part episode, Graham talks about his back-to-back pacing weekend in northwest Arkansas, which included the Time to Paddy half marathon in Fayetteville on Saturday; then, the Fort Smith half marathon on Sunday.
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Episode 37: 2025 Spring Fling 5K recap & Graham's weekend of pacing
Michelle and Graham recap the 2025 Spring Fling 5K in Cabot, Arkansas. One of your hosts likes hills and the other doesn't. They'll also discuss the next Grand Prix race the two of them will be doing, and Graham's weekend of pacing next weekend in northwest Arkansas. All that and then some on…
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Episode 36: 2025 Little Rock marathon & Chase Race 2-mile recap
Graham summarizes his experience running the 2025 Little Rock marathon, his first time running it as a pacer (his seventh LR marathon overall); then, Michelle and Graham recap their running of the Chase Race 2-mile in Conway, Arkansas, on Saturday.
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Episode 35: Graham gets a half marathon PR, Valentine's Day 5K recap & Michelle joins the Grand Prix
Graham capped last week's Valentine's Day 5K in Russellville with a personal record (PR) in the Run the Line half marathon on Sunday morning in Texarkana. This is Graham's 37th official half marathon and the fifth time he's participated in the Run the Line half in Texarkana. Graham explains why…
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Episode 34: 2025 Grand Prix is underway, Time Travel half marathon recap, Michelle joins FART club??
Graham starts the 2025 Grand Prix season with a busy schedule, pacing the Time Travel half marathon the day before the One Hour Track Run in Russellville, Arkansas. Graham ran with the 8:20/mile and under group during the track run. Did he hold his own against the elite runners there? He also got…
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Episode 33: Treadmill running vs. outdoor running, race season begins, back to school for both hosts
Graham and Michelle are back (to school, too) for another episode about running and life. They discuss treadmill running vs. outdoor running, and Graham gives us a preview of next weekend's events. He'll pace the Time Travel half marathon in North Little Rock, Arkansas, on Saturday; then, he'll...
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Episode 32: Graham's coldest pacing gig + the 1-hour track run & getting lost while hiking
With some time off till his next weekend of racing and pacing, Graham reflects on the coldest race he's ever done (as a pacer), and why it only took him a few minutes to decide to do it again in 2025. Graham will also compete in the 2025 Arkansas Grand Prix race series, starting with the 1-hour...
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Episode 31: Running (or not) during the holidays, Graham officially signs up for the 2025 Grand Prix
On this week's show, Graham and Michelle discuss what they've been up to lately (spoiler: not a lot), and talk about their experiences during the holidays, including running and (mostly) life/family stuff. They also do a quick review of the movie Boy Kills World, give a shout out to the Arkansas...
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Episode 30: Graham places in the Grand Prix, Michelle gets to relax, dogs recover from same surgery
On the 2024 Christmas episode (by default), Graham recaps his first Grand Prix season, earning second place in his age group and becoming one of four Cabot Cruisers to finish with an Iron season. Michelle gets to relax after a long year of law school and work, and is still recovering from…
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Episode 29: 3BM & 2024 Grand Prix season recap + Michelle makes the fantasy football playoffs!
Graham capped his 2024 Grand Prix season with the 3 Bridges Marathon in Little Rock, Arkansas, solidifying his Iron Runner status in the process. He attempted a sub-4 marathon time, but his stomach had other ideas. He and Michelle celebrated with Hobby Lobby, Wright's BBQ, and Christmas lights at...
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Episode 28: Graham runs a Turkey Trot and gets ready for the 3 Bridges Marathon in Little Rock
Michelle and Graham are back after a two-week layoff. While Michelle works to finish another semester of law school, Graham looks to finish 2024 strong with a goal of running a sub 4-hour marathon next weekend in Little Rock at the Jacob Wells 3 Bridges Marathon. Graham also ran Cabot's local...
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Episode 27: Michelle plays pickleball, Graham recaps his trails race (and then some) + more!!
Graham has been busy over the last couple of weeks. He recaps his first trail race experience at the Back 40 Trail Race in Bella Vista, Arkansas. He also updates us on how the Rhino Ultra is going, since his deadline for completion is next week, and recaps his experience at the Spa 10K race...
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Episode 26: City of Colleges race recap, Graham's upcoming trail race, Trap movie review
Graham paced the City of Colleges half marathon in Conway, Arkansas, on Saturday. On paper, it was the best pace job he's ever done, but he'll explain why he feels he let some runners in his pace group down. While Michelle stays busy with law school, Graham continues to take part in the Rhino…
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Episode 25: Spooky Sprint half, Arkansas 20K recap + more! (Halloween episode)
Graham and Michelle dress up for this Halloween episode of the TRDL podcast! Graham recaps his experience pacing the Spooky Sprint half marathon last weekend in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He followed that race with the Arkansas 20K in Benton yesterday (Saturday), and according to him, it was his…
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Episode 24: Graham talks the Chicago Marathon & upcoming races. Michelle wins fantasy football!
With the 2024 Chicago Marathon happening today, Graham talks about his experience running the same race in 2021. He also lets everyone know how the Rhino Ultra is going and talks about the Spooky Sprint half marathon he'll be pacing next weekend in Fayetteville, Arkansas, as well the next Grand...
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Episode 23: Pumpkin Run recap + Michelle runs yet another 5K!!
Michelle and Graham are back to recap their hometown race from last week. Michelle ran another 5K on Saturday. How'd she do? Is that Saturn or a UFO on her Children's Hospital 5K medal (it's Saturn)? How's the Rhino Ultra going for Graham? Michelle forces Graham to tell his horror story when...
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Episode 22: Graham runs the Stampede 10K, M&G do the Pumpkin Run next weekend!
On this week's episode, Graham recaps his experience running the Stampede 10K in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Michelle and Graham both will take on the Great 5K Pumpkin Run in Lonoke next Saturday. Is Michelle prepared? Also, how's the Rhino Ultra going for Graham? Lastly, can Michelle and Graham remain...
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Episode 21: Graham does the Rhino Ultra. Michelle does law school. Both ready for the Pumpkin Run?
On this week's episode, Graham lets us know how the Rhino Ultra is going. He started his first of 10 half marathons (within 10 weeks' time) earlier this week. Michelle reads more than she does anything else these days, as law school tests her mental health and well-being. Graham gears up for his...
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Episode 20: Graham is indecisive about today's run. Michelle updates us on her bread competition
No races this weekend for Graham or Michelle, but we do check in on how their fantasy football teams are doing. Also, Michelle lets us know how her bread competition went at the local county fair. And Graham decides if he wants to go for a run or just keep watching football all day.
About this show
Graham and Michelle provide their insight and knowledge (or lack thereof) on all things running. That includes their unique experiences with live races, training, hard lessons learned, and some interesting stories in between. Whether you're a longtime runner or a beginner interested in signing up for your first 5K, the Tough Runs Don't Last podcast has something for everyone!
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Tough Runs Don't Last